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A depleted roster and a difficult first half doused the Vermilion Ironhawks’ slim hopes for a regional playoff berth.
Host Mesabi ran out to a 43-23 lead and never looked back on the way to an 85-67 in last Saturday’s community college men’s basketball regular season finale at Virginia.
Vermilion, which needed a win and some help in order to advance into the postseason, finished 9-16 overall including 4-8 in division games.
The Ironhawks lost their last five division games and were without several key players in Saturday’s finale.
Mesabi, which finished third in the division and is moving on to this weekend’s regional playoffs at Coon Rapids, maintained a commanding edge on the board (56-35) and put Vermilion away with a run late in the first half.
Freshman Ante Acosta helped keep Vermilion close with five three-point baskets and a team-high 22 points. He also secured 11 rebounds to finish with a double-double.
Davionte Davis also had a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds, while reserves Roderick Dominique and Jaden Moore added 12 and nine points, respectively.
Mesabi’s Kaelab Roberts led the Norse with 18 points.
The loss ended head coach Dawson Dickson’s first year at the helm of the Vermilion program.
