RCTC Falls Just Short in 93–91 Road Battle at Anoka-Ramsey
Rochester Community and Technical College nearly erased a double‑digit halftime deficit on Wednesday night, but the Yellowjackets' furious second‑half rally came up just shy in a 93–91 loss to Anoka‑Ramsey in Coon Rapids. Despite outscoring the Rams 53–42 after the break and shooting an impressive 54.7% from the field, RCTC couldn't quite make up for a slow start and Anoka‑Ramsey's hot perimeter shooting.
The Yellowjackets (9–11, 1–4 MCAC South) found themselves in early trouble as Anoka‑Ramsey poured in 51 first‑half points behind a barrage of three-point shots from the Rams' backcourt. RCTC entered halftime down 51–38, but responded with one of their most efficient offensive halves of the season.
Leading the charge was forward John Johnson, who delivered a solid all‑around performance. Johnson scored 18 points on 7-of-13 shooting while adding four rebounds and three assists. His physical presence helped RCTC generate rhythm offensively in the second half, particularly during a key run that trimmed the Rams' lead to single digits with under 10 minutes to play.
The Yellowjackets' guard play also shined. Carson Brown logged a team‑high 30 minutes and added 13 points, six rebounds, and four assists, providing consistency on both ends. Guard Armoni Dishinger‑Harris knocked down four threes en route to 12 points, giving RCTC timely scoring from beyond the arc. Sam Hemery remained efficient as ever, going a perfect 4-for-4 from the field and finishing with nine points, three rebounds, and three assists.
Off the bench, Julian Carter delivered one of his strongest performances of the seasons. Carter, still working his way back from injury, scored 16 points, attacked the rim with confidence, and earned seven free‑throw attempts. His energy sparked RCTC during its second‑half surge. Aidan Flaten also provided a lift, scoring seven points on perfect shooting in 17 minutes. Ten different Yellowjackets scored, emphasizing the team's balanced offensive effort.
But defensively, RCTC struggled to slow down Anoka‑Ramsey's top playmakers. The Rams shot 59.3% from the floor and a blistering 52% from three (13‑for‑25), led by an explosive performance from MJ Omot, who scored a game‑high 28 points and knocked down six threes. Guards Akeem Nelson (19 points) and Stewart Jones (6 assists) consistently generated high‑quality looks for the Rams, who finished with 22 assists on 35 made field goals.
Still, the Yellowjackets refused to fold. With under two minutes remaining, RCTC forced a pair of key stops and converted in transition to cut the deficit to one possession. Johnson and Brown each created scoring opportunities late, but the team couldn't capitalize on the final look to complete the comeback.
RCTC will continue their road trip as they take on league-leading Riverland on Saturday. This is the second contest between the two teams with Riverland narrowly escaping in the opener at RCTC 73-68.
