Men's Basketball: Royals Start New Year 2-0

The Lake Region State College Men's basketball team returned from break with two wins over the University of Jamestown JV.

On Friday, Jan 5^th, the Royals traveled to Jamestown in what turned out to be a shootout. Trailing by 1 at half, LRSC built a 20 point lead mid second half. The Jimmies tried to make a late run but the Royals prevailed 99-94. Harrison Raynor led the way for Lake Region with 28pts 3rebs 2 asts. He was followed closely by fellow sophomore Blessed Barhayiga who scored 23pts, had 5rebs and 4asts.

On Sunday, Jan 7^th, it was the Jimmies chance to return the favor as they traveled to Devils Lake. The Royals were in control most of the game early. Then a 2^nd half surge from Jamestown out of the locker room put them ahead of Lake Region. LRSC made a few adjustments and made a run of their own to finish off the game, winning 82-71. Five Royals hit double figures. Blessed Barhayiga had a double double with 16pts & 10rebs. Noah Bonick also tallied a double double with 10pts, 10rebs & 6asts. Harrison Raynor filled the stat sheet with 15pts, 5rebs, 4asts & 2stls. Alvin Jones, 10pts and Rihards Porietis, 13pts, provided a spark off the bench for LRSC.

Head Coach Jared Marshall had this to say about the games, "Overall, I am pleased with our effort in these two games. It is never easy to have almost a month off in between games, then come out and return to form. So to start the year off with two wins, while also putting up the points we did was great. There are a few things we need to clean up defensively, just lock in a little more on that end of the floor, which I thought we did really well down the stretch of our Sunday game. We have talked all season long about playing our best basketball February and March. This was a good start to achieving our goal of that."

The Royals 6-10 (2-5) sit in 6^th place in the MonDak with Bismarck State coming to town on January 10^th. Tip off will be 830pm. LRSC defeated BSC 69-61 earlier this season.

Go Royals!