RCTC Edges St. Cloud in Thrilling 81-79 Victory at Mayo Civic Auditorium

Rochester, MN – January 10, 2026 — Rochester Community and Technical College (RCTC) secured a hard-fought 81-79 win over St. Cloud Technical & Community College in front of an energetic crowd at Mayo Civic Auditorium. The Yellowjackets improved to 9-8 overall and 1-1 in conference play, while St. Cloud fell to 8-4 and 0-1.

The matchup lived up to its billing as a battle of the top programs in the MCAC Southern Division.  RCTC held a slim 37-35 lead at halftime, thanks to efficient shooting and strong rebounding. Both teams traded baskets throughout the second half, but the Yellowjackets maintained composure in the closing moments to seal the two-point victory.

Balanced Scoring and Dominant Rebounding Key to Win
RCTC showcased depth and balance, with four players scoring in double figures. Brandon Wilson led the charge off the bench with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting, providing a crucial spark. Starter Sam Hemery added 14 points, while Carson Brown and John Johnson chipped in 10 points each. Johnson also controlled the glass, pulling down a game-high 11 rebounds as RCTC outrebounded St. Cloud 43-31.

The Yellowjackets shot an impressive 55.4% from the field and 40% from beyond the arc, compared to St. Cloud's 42.4% overall and 18.2% from three-point range. RCTC's ability to convert high-percentage opportunities proved critical, especially in a game where turnovers and free throws played a major role.

Defensive Effort and Key Plays Down the Stretch
While St. Cloud's Malachi Gant poured in a game-high 22 points and Jack Boos added 19, RCTC's defense tightened late. The Yellowjackets forced six second-half turnovers and limited St. Cloud's perimeter shooting. A clutch basket by Wilson and timely free throws from Dominic Martinez-White in the final minute preserved the lead as St. Cloud's last-second attempt fell short.

Looking Ahead
With the victory, RCTC gains momentum heading into its next matchup. The Yellowjackets will look to build on this performance and continue climbing the conference standings as they hit the road to take on Ridgewater on Saturday, January 17th.  THe Jackets next home game is on Saturday, January 24th against Minn State-Fergus Falls.