RCTC Men's Basketball Splits Weekend Road Series Against Minnesota North Colleges

The Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) Yellowjackets hit the road for a two-game swing against Minnesota North College-Vermilion and Mesabi Range on November 14–15, coming away with a hard-fought split. After falling short in a tight contest Friday night, the Jackets bounced back with an impressive offensive performance Saturday to close the weekend on a high note.

Game 1: Jackets Fall in Close Battle at Vermilion (76–70)

Friday's matchup in Ely was a back-and-forth affair that saw RCTC rally late but ultimately come up short, 76–70. The Yellowjackets struggled to find rhythm early, shooting just 41.5% from the field and 22.2% from beyond the arc. Vermilion capitalized on turnovers and second-chance opportunities, edging RCTC in rebounds (35–38) and converting at a 49.2% clip.

The first half was a defensive grind, with Vermilion holding a slim 28–24 lead at the break. RCTC's offense came alive in the second half, scoring 46 points, but Vermilion matched the surge with 48 of their own to seal the win.

Standout Performances:

• John Johnson was dominant inside, going 10-for-11 from the floor for a team-high 20 points and six rebounds.
• Carson Brown added 11 points and three boards, while Charlie Morning chipped in 10 points and four rebounds.
• Off the bench, Abe Anderson provided a spark with nine points on perfect shooting from deep (3-for-3).

Despite the loss, RCTC showed resilience, clawing back from an eight-point deficit late in the second half. Free-throw struggles (50% on 24 attempts) and 19 turnovers proved costly, as Vermilion converted those miscues into transition points. Vermilion's balanced attack featured four players in double figures, led by NaTorrius Truitt and Rashad Parms with 14 points each.

Game 2: Jackets Bounce Back with Offensive Explosion at Mesabi Range (87–74)

Saturday's contest in Virginia was a different story. RCTC came out firing, building a 10-point halftime lead (42–32) and never looking back en route to an 87–74 victory. The Jackets shot an impressive 51.7% from the field and 43.8% from three, while dominating the glass with 42 rebounds.

The offensive balance was on full display:

• Julian Carter led the charge with 19 points on 7-of-13 shooting, adding six rebounds.
• Carson Brown was a force inside and out, scoring 17 points and pulling down nine boards.
• Armoni Dishinger-Harris provided a huge lift off the bench, knocking down two triples and finishing with 13 points.
• Brandon Wilson showcased his versatility, scoring 10 points and dishing out four assists while grabbing seven rebounds.

RCTC's ball movement was a key factor, as the team recorded 16 assists compared to Mesabi's 11. The Jackets also tightened up defensively, holding Mesabi to just 37.3% shooting and a dismal 15.4% from three-point range. While Mesabi's Reggie Adams battled hard with 18 points and 11 rebounds, RCTC's depth and efficiency proved too much.

Weekend Takeaways

• Inside Presence: John Johnson's near-perfect shooting Friday and Carson Brown's dominance Saturday highlight RCTC's strength in the paint.
• Bench Impact: Anderson and Dishinger-Harris combined for 22 points over the two games, giving the Jackets valuable scoring depth.
• Areas to Improve: Free-throw consistency (55.6% Saturday, 50% Friday) and turnovers remain focal points as the season progresses.

The Jackets will next play a pair of games on their home floor Friday and Saturday against Gogebic College and Central Lakes - Brainerd.