Central Lakes College, ranked 8th in the nation, defeated Minnesota State Community and Technical College (Fergus Falls), 100-75, in the first round of the Minnesota College Athletic Conference men's basketball tournament in Minneapolis Friday night, Feb. 26. The Raiders had their largest lead of the first half with 7:53 remaining when they were up 38-21. M State whittled it down to 40-32 with 4:40 to go. CLC led at the half, 53-40. The second half saw CLC slowly increase the lead the last 10 minutes. In the other game of the bracket 5th-ranked Minneapolis Community and Technical College knocked out Vermilion (Ely), 88-67. CLC meets MCTC at 3 p.m. today (Sat., Feb. 27) in one semifinal and Rochester plays Northland at 1 p.m. in the other semi. All four top-seeded teams advanced to the semis. The championship game is Sunday afternoon, with the winner advancing to the Division III national tournament in New York. The teams compete as members of the National Junior College Athletic Association. --Reported by Pat Swarthout, on assignment for the CLC Public Information Office.
