NJCAA DIVISION THREE
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS took the court against the NORTH LAKE COLLEGE BLAZERS. The teams went almost basket for basket and by Halftime the Blazers held a mere 31-30 edge. After the break the Thunderducks made their move, storming back to upset North Lake College 67-59. Sixteen points from Dre Rutledge led Richland College and his teammate Andrew Huntley got a Double Double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – And the NORTHERN ESSEX COLLEGE KNIGHTS faced the SALEM (NJ) COLLEGE MIGHTY OAKS. The Knights held a 49-42 advantage at the Half, then held on tight against a Salem College rally from there. Northern Essex won the game 88-85 led by THIRTY-NINE points from Alex Johnson.
NJCAA DIVISION TWO
ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – In this game the MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE STORMERS did battle with the COASTAL ALABAMA COLLEGE COYOTES. Coastal Alabama College clung to a tight 46-45 edge at the midpoint. After the break the Stormers came from behind for an 88-85 triumph. Noah Daniels tossed in 19 points to lead MATC.
ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – The PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS played the DAVIDSON-DAVIE COLLEGE STORM. The Aztecs took control of the game by Halftime, leading Davidson-Davie College by an unbelievable SIXTY to THIRTY-NINE. From there, Pima College coasted to a Century Club 108-80 win over the Storm. THIRTY points from Mason Hunt led the Aztecs.
ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – Up next, the PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS squared off against the favored JOHNSON COUNTY COLLEGE CAVALIERS. JCC had compiled a 43-33 advantage by Halftime, but the Cobras rallied for an 86-78 Upset. Leading Parkland College were Chris Bush and Kodhi McStraw with 20 points each.
ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – The IOWA CENTRAL COLLEGE REIVERS fought the SCHOOLCRAFT COLLEGE OCELOTS. The Reivers dominated Schoolcraft College on both sides of the ball, leading them 37-22 at the Half before going on to eliminate them by a final tally of 69-50. Aleix Sempere led Iowa Central to victory with a Double Double of 22 points and 15 rebounds.
ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – This game pitted the ELLSWORTH COLLEGE PANTHERS against the SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS. The Panthers put South Suburban College on Upset Alert at Halftime with their 48-33 advantage. After the break Ellsworth held off the Bulldogs for an 89-84 triumph led by 23 points from Jaden Pretty.
ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – A shootout was in store between the DES MOINES AREA COLLEGE BEARS and the LANSING COLLEGE STARS. The opening Half ended with the Bears on top 40-35. From there each team put up another 55 points for a final score of Des Moines Area 95 Stars 90. Rylan Smith led the Bears with 17 points while teammate Kaden Tate logged a Double Double of 13 points and 13 rebounds.
ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – The PALM BEACH STATE PANTHERS clashed with the ORANGE COUNTY COLLEGE BRONCOS. The Panthers took charge early and led 42-28 at the midpoint of the game. After the break Palm Beach State got even more separation from the Broncos to win out 88-66. Leading the Panthers was Marvin Golf with his Double Double of 25 points and 12 rebounds.
ELITE EIGHT: LAST BERTH – And finally, the DANVILLE AREA COLLEGE JAGUARS faced the MID-MICHIGAN COLLEGE LAKERS. The Jaguars parlayed their 41-29 Halftime lead over Mid-Michigan College into an 85-68 hammering. Jeremy Wilson led the way for Danville Area College with a Double Double of 25 points and 13 rebounds.
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