Reynolds leads Yellowjackets to opening win
Post-Bulletin staff
LA CROSSE — Hot shooting and strong rebounding powered the Rochester Community and Technical College men’s basketball team to a season-opening 118-78 non-conference win over Western Wisconsin Technical College.
Rochester shot a toasty 56 percent from the field, 74 percent on free throws, and the Yellowjackets had a big 45-21 rebounding edge.
"We did some good things tonight," said Rochester head coach Brian LaPlante. "That (rebounding) was a pretty big stat."
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Rochester surged at the end of the first half and turned a 12-point lead into a 55-33 cushion at the break.
Freshman and former John Marshall player Josh Reynolds led Rochester with 17 points and six rebounds. He was one of five Yellowjackets in double figures scoring.
Anthony Kelley, a freshman from Mahtomedi, scored 16; Allen McGaha, a freshman from Bowling Brook, Ill., scored 16; sophomore Tyler Speer of Lanesboro had 13 points and seven rebounds; and sophomore Kurt Koenig of Waconia scored 11.
"We played pretty good defense, too, forcing them into 37 turnovers," LaPlante said.
"It was just a good first game; all 14 guys played, and everybody scored, so it was a good way to get things started."
Rochester (1-0) plays in a four-team tournament Friday and Saturday at Madison (Wis.) Area Technical College. The Yellowjackets open at 8 p.m. Friday against Madison, which is ranked among the nation’s top 15 to start the season.
