COLLEGE BASKETBALL: D3 and NJCAA TOURNAMENTS

NCAA DIVISION THREE

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It all came down to the TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS fighting it out with the NEW YORK UNIVERSITY VIOLETS. The Violets were threatening an Upset with their 30-27 Halftime edge but Trinity College came out of the locker room ready for a comeback. The Bantams went on to win the game 64-60 led by 20 points from Jarrel Okorougo. Teammate Drew (not Rem) Lazarre logged a Double Double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

NJCAA DIVISION ONE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The CONNORS STATE COWBOYS played the SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE TEXANS. The Cowboys put SPC on Upset Alert at the Half as they led 40-28. From there Connors State carried through, holding on against a Texans rally for an 80-74 triumph. Twenty-eight points from D.J. Dormu led the Cowboys to victory.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS against the PANOLA COLLEGE PONIES. The Cardinals played suffocating defense and were up 32-22 at the midpoint. From there it was the Ponies’ turn to shine on defense as they rallied but fell short. TVC won out 51-47 led by Zati Loubaki’s 17 points. His fellow Cardinal Garrett Nuckolls had a Double Double of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

NJCAA DIVISION TWO

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS took the court against the HOWARD COLLEGE DRAGONS. A frenetic opening Half ended with the Dragons on top 36-33. The Cobras clamped down defensively, limiting Howard College to just 18 more points in their 60-54 victory. Fourteen points from Drew Lewis, Jr. led the way for Parkland College.   

FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In the Marathon Game of the round the KIRKWOOD COLLEGE EAGLES did battle with the MACOMB COLLEGE MONARCHS. The Eagles led Macomb College 31-27 at Halftime but the Monarchs forced Overtime with a 58-58 tie. The 1st OT ended in a 65-65 deadlock and the 2nd tied up 69-69. In the THIRD Overtime Kirkwood College won 78-77. Colby Dolphin’s 23 points led the Eagles.

FINAL FOUR: THIRD BERTH – Up next the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS played the DAVIDSON-DAVIE COLLEGE STORM. The Aztecs were out in front in a 42-36 shootout at the Half. After the break Pima College kept the Storm at arm’s length to win the game 86-82. Twenty-two points from Cohenj Gonzales led the Aztecs to victory.

FINAL FOUR: LAST BERTH – To complete the 2025 Final Four the KALAMAZOO VALLEY COLLEGE COUGARS faced the NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI COLLEGE PIRATES. Points flew like shrapnel in this hardcourt clash. Come Halftime the Cougars were up 47-45 then went on to win by a Century Club score of 100-91. Joe Liedel tossed in THIRTY-ONE points to lead KVC.

NJCAA DIVISION THREE

ROUND ONE: GAME ONE – The RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS took on the NORTHERN ESSEX COLLEGE KNIGHTS. NEC held a 34-32 edge at the Half but the Thunderducks emerged from the locker room ready to take charge. They outscored the Knights 41-34 in a 73-68 triumph. Mannie Odo led Richland College with his Double Double of 18 points and 15 rebounds.

ROUND ONE: GAME TWO – In this game the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS played the MOUNTAIN VIEW COLLEGE LIONS. By the break the Generals had compiled a 36-30 advantage over Mountain View College. From there Herkimer College managed a bit more separation for an 81-71 win. Kenny Freeman’s 22 points led the Generals while teammate Jayson McGhee got a Double Double of 15 points and 10 assists.

ROUND ONE: GAME THREE – The SALEM (NJ) COLLEGE MIGHTY OAKS took the court against the RIVERLAND COLLEGE BLUE DEVILS. The Blue Devils seemed in charge 37-27 at the midpoint of the game but the Mighty Oaks roared back to win 72-67. Xavier Brewington and Akeem Taylor had 18 points each to lead Salem College, while teammate Jyheim Spencer logged a Double Double of 14 points and 10 rebounds.

ROUND ONE: GAME FOUR – This game saw the UNION COUNTY COLLEGE OWLS do battle with the GENESEE COLLEGE COUGARS. Genesee College was threatening with their 32-26 Halftime lead but the Owls went on to restore order to the universe in a 76-66 victory. Twenty-two points from Joseph Gargiulo led UCC and fellow Owl Devin Geiger had a Double Double of 16 points and 13 rebounds.

These four teams will now join the teams that had a Bye in Round One.