(Albany, OR) -- To get a road victory against any NWAC team you have to be able to finish the job.
 
The Lower Columbia College men's basketball team struggled in the last five minutes as they dropped an 85-81 game to Linn-Benton on Sunday December 12^th in Albany.
 
The Roadrunners were trailing by eight points with five minutes to go but were able to rally to get their first victory of the season (1-3).
 
LCC falls to 6-2 on the year.  It's one that stings as the team was in a good position to get the victory.
 
Linn Benton went an a 12-5 run to close the game as the Devils settled on three-point attempts and had trouble stopping the 'Runners.
 
Kyle Gruhler had 14 points and seven rebounds to lead LCC.  Dakota Reber had 11 points.  Keylin Vance hit some big shots when the Devils made a nice second half run. Vance ended up with 11 points, five rebounds and two assists.
 
Ky-mani Pollard and Sherman Royal III contributed eight points each. Pollard led LCC with four assists. Royal had three blocked shots.
 
Hunter Schwenke hit a three pointer during a solid four minute stretch in the first half.
 
The Devils will regroup and get ready for the NWAC Cross-Over event they will host beginning Friday December 17^th.  The six-game, four-team, three-day affair begins with Walla Walla against Portland at 5 pm, followed by Lower Columbia against Whatcom at 7 pm. All games are in Myklebust Gym at the Stoller Athletic Center in Longview.
 
The schedule for Saturday December 18^th includes Whatcom against Portland at 5 pm followed by LCC against Walla Walla at 7 pm.
 
The games on Sunday feature Walla Walla against Whatcom at 11 am.  The Red Devils then take on Portland at 2 pm.