Howard College defeated College of Southern Idaho 82-67 to capture the NJCAA Division I Men’s Tournament championship Saturday afternoon at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
The Howard Hawks, from Big Spring, Texas, finished the season with a 31-4 record. Howard won its second NJCAA title and the first since 2010.
Southern Idaho, from Twin Falls, ended the season with a 32-3 mark. The Golden Eagles won national titles in 1976, 1987 and 2011 and placed second in 1971, 1975, 1990, and 2018.
The Hawks led by Terry Copeland with 23 points and 16 rebounds. Kuai Deng scored 20 points. Daniel Culberson added 10 points and 8 assists.
Ben Thornbrue led the Golden Eagles with 21 points and Jalen Lyn added 19 points.
In the semifinals Friday night, Southern Valley defeated Gulf Coast College, Fla., 82-70 and Howard College defeated Trinity Valley, Texas, 72-66.
In first round games on Saturday, March 21, Daytona College defeated Jones College 103-74, New Mexico Junior College defeated Barton Community College 103-90, Monroe University defeated Mineral Area College 77-72 and Gulf Coast State College defeated Brunswick Community College 82-79.
In first round games Sunday, March 22, Snow College defeated Trinidad State College 128-86, Walters State Community College defeated South Georgia State College 93-84, Northern Oklahoma College-Enid defeated South Plains College 81-78 and Northwest Florida State College defeated Bishop State Community College 83-75.
In second round games Monday, Howard College defeated Daytona State College 96-75, College of Southern Idaho defeated New Mexico Junior College 73-66, Trinity Valley Community College defeated Monroe University 78-75 and Gulf Coast State College defeated Indian Hills Community College 72-70.
In second round games on Tuesday, Butler Community College defeated Snow College 101-96, Walters State Community College 95-82, Northern Oklahoma College-Enid defeated Chipola College 64-50 and Northwest Florida State College 76-62.
In the quarterfinals on Wednesday, Howard College defeated Butler Community College 134-128, College of Southern Idaho defeated Walters State Community College 85-64, Trinity Valley Community College defeated North Oklahoma College-Enid 83-44 and Gulf Coast State College defeated Northwest Florida State College 99-91.
The NJCAA Men’s Division I championship game was nationally televised on ESPNU.
