HUTCHINSON — The defending NJCAA men's basketball champion Barton Cougars went down battling to the final play of the game.
No. 14 Barton nearly overcame a 15-point deficit before losing 73-70 to Daytona State, Fla. in Tuesday's second round of the NJCAA men's basketball tournament.
The Cougars (25-9) had a 14-game winning streak at the Sports Arena ended by Daytona when a final tying 3-pointer by Lyna Brooks, Jr. banged off the rim.
Barton's Brent Moss sparked an inspired rally with 28 points and 12 rebounds against a physical Daytona frontline. Wichita State signee Keandre Kindell delivered eight assists, but his high energy playing style was slowed by constant foul trouble. Aris Rodriguez contributed 17 points and delivered a plus-9 point differential when he played his 22 minutes.
The Cougars misfired from the free throw line with 11 of 22 tries including a crucial 1-for-6 stretch with Barton down 60-55.
Dylan Diaz drilled four 3-pointers and scored 15 points to lead the Falcons' 10 3-pointers. Daytona led 64-61 when Rodriguez hit a 3-pointer. Daytona's final three field goals were 3-pointers by Diaz, Isaiah Dorceus and Tyrese Lacey off a Dorceus assist for a 73-65 lead.
Rodriguez made a 3-pointer and Moss converted a rebound basket off Kindell's assist for a 73-70 score. Dorceus missed a free throw giving the Cougars a final 3-point attempt that Brooks missed.
BARTON (25-9) (FG 3 FT TP)—Moss 12-21 (2-3) 2-3 28; Rodriguez 4-14 (3-8) 6-8 17, Muchitsch 2-5 (1-2) 2-6 7, Smith 3-9 (0-2) 0-3 6, Kindell 2-8 (1-2) 0-0 5, Parlow 2-6 (0-2) 1-2 5, Williams 1-2 0-0 2, Brooks (0-1) 0-0 0, Totals 26-66 (7-20) 11-22 70
Barton 30 40—70
Daytona 43 30—73
DAYTONA STATE, FLA. (28-5) (FG 3 FT TP)—Diaz 4-10 (4-9) 3-3 15, Lacey 6-10 (2-5) 0-0 14, Dorceus 5-10 (2-4) 0-1 12, Ryan Bewley 3-6 (0-1) 4-8 10, Placer 1-6 (0-4) 0-0 2, Payne 4-7 0-0 8, Mendy 2-7 (1-5) 0-0 5, Cuevas (1-4) 0-0 3, Matt Bewley 2-5 0-0 4, Totals 28-65 (10-32) 7-12 73
Rebounds—BC 37 (Moss 12); DS 48 (Dorceus, R. Bewley, Diaz, M. Bewley 6). Assists—BC 15 (Kindell 8); DS 22 (Dorceus 8). Steals—BC 9 (Parlow 3); DS 7 (Dorceus 3)
2025 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND—Connors State, Okla. 80, John A. Logan, Ill. 75; Barton 92, Brunswick, N.C. 62; Monroe, N.Y. 79, Chipola, Fla. 78 (OT); Triton, Ill. 58, Columbia State 55; Trinidad, Colo. 83, Pensacola, Fla. 75; Vincennes, Ind. 69 Three Rivers, Mo. 51; Angelina, Texas 87, South Georgia State 70; Frank Phillips, Texas 83, Wallace State 69
SECOND ROUND—Connors State, Okla. 63, Snow, Utah 62; Cowley College 63, Triton, Ill. 62; South Plains, Texas 91, Monroe, N.Y. 71; Vincennes, Ind. 85, Indian Hills, Iowa 71; Daytona, Fla. 73, Barton Cougars 70; Trinity Valley, Texas 92, Trinidad, Colo. 60
TUESDAY, 5:30—No. 5 Jones, Miss. (30-3) vs. No. 12 Angelina, Texas (27-6)
TUESDAY, 8—No. 6 Panola, Miss. (27-6) vs. No. 11 Frank Phillips, Texas (25-8)
QUARTERFINALS
WEDNESDAY, 12—No. 17 Connors State, Okla. (30-3) vs. No. 8 Daytona, Fla. (28-5)
WEDNESDAY, 2:30—No. 2 Cowley (30-4) vs. No. 7 Trinity Valley (31-3)
WEDNESDAY, 5:30—No. 4 South Plains, Texas (28-6) vs. Jones, Miss. (31-3)/Angelina, Texas (28-6) winner
WEDNESDAY, 8—No. 14 Vincennes, Ind. (28-4) vs. Panola, Miss./Frank Phillips, Texas winner
