From report on MCAC website and in Brainerd Dispatch 3-3-12The Central Lakes College Raiders defeated Mesabi Range, 72-57, in the quarterfinal round of the MCAC/Region 13 men's basketball tournament Friday, the first of three required wins to earn a trip to New York for the NJCAA DIII championship tournament. Maurice Hernandez (shown) scored 30 points, hauled in 11 rebounds, and credited his teammates and superior defense for a positive outcome. Mo scored 17 points in the first half as CLC took a 38-27 lead over the fourth-seeded Northern Division foe. The Raiders, No. 1 in the Northern Division, face Anoka-Ramsey, the host of the meet, at 4 p.m. today and hope to avenge a 67-65 loss to the Rams incurred the last time the teams met. A-R got past Hibbing, 73-61, in the first round. Other winners: Rochester (84-74 vs. Vermilion) and M State (63-56 vs. Northland) collide in the other semifinal today at 2 p.m. for the right to play in the tourney title game Sunday at 2 p.m. in Coon Rapids. Ronnie Kornbaum and Kwamaine Johnson each scored 13 points for the Raiders (25-3, ranked fifth in the NJCAA poll).
