
Rochester, MN - With an MCAC playoff berth already in their back pocket the RCTC women's basketball team was looking for a final tune-up (and a possible #3 seed) in their game against MN State Fergus Falls tonight. RCTC used a huge first period and a strong overall first half to set the tone for the night. The jackets jumped out to a 14 point lead after the first period, holding the Spartans to only 5 points (19-5). They kept the pressure on in the second and took a commanding 44-22 lead into the break. The Spartans were able to cut the lead by only one point in the second half leading to the final 21 point margin of victory and a 78-57 Jacket win.
Alyssa Whitson and Olivia Matti lead the Jackets with 16 points a piece, while Grace Riley added a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Abby Bauer joined the trio in double figures with 10 points. RCTC shot 51% from the field for the game while holding MN State to just 33%. The Jackets outrebounded the Spartans 46-33 and had 29 assists to only 11 for MN State.
RCTC also outscored MN State 15-7 off the bench, with Arianna Owens and Amber Chapel each scoring 6 points as reserves.
The win forced a coin toss versus Minnesota West to determine the #3 and #4 seeds in the MCAC Southern Division playoffs due to the regular season split in games between the two teams. MN West won the coin toss and took with it the #3 seed in the tournament. RCTC will be the #4 seed and face off against #1 seed Western Tech in LaCrosse on Saturday at 1:00pm.