Delaware Tech Advances to second round in Danville
March 18, 2009
Danville, IL- The 2nd game of the 2009 NJCAA DII Men's Basketball Tournament featured NJCAA District 4 Champion Bismarck State College vs. NJCAA District 9 Champion Delaware Technical and Community College. The winner of this game will advance to the 2nd round to play Phoenix College, who received a 1st round bye draw.
Both teams went at back and forth at each other for the first several minutes, but Bismarck State gained a 10 point lead after the first 10 minutes of play. Both teams ran a methodical half-court offense, but Delaware Tech's athleticism caused fits for Bismarck State. They were unable to keep a rhythm offensively with the Delaware players all over the passing lanes. Between their 13 turnovers and shooting 28% from the field, Bismarck State couldn't gain ground. However, despite Bismarck struggling, they found a way to stay within 7 points with 4 minutes to play in the first half. TJ McCauley was the driving force behind Bismarck State, scoring 16 of their total 29 points. For the remaining minutes of the half, Delaware Tech capitalized on turnovers, got offensive rebounds, and made big shots to build the lead to 40-29 at the halftime break.
1ST HALF LEADERS FOR BISMARCK STATE:
TJ McCauley, 6'2" Soph, 16 pts
Billy Scott, 6'3" Fresh, 5 pts
1ST HALF LEADERS FOR DELAWARE TECH:
Samuel Starks, 6'2" Fresh, 10 pts
Rakee Anderson, 5'10" Soph, 10 pts.
Both teams picked up where they left off after the break, with Delaware Tech maintaining a 10 point lead for a majority of the 2nd half. By the 7 minute mark, Delaware Tech built a 19 point lead with the help of Lancelot McDowell, who scored 13 points in the first 14 minutes of the 2nd half. Sam Starks also hit some big shots to keep Delaware in control for the rest of the game. Bismarck State continued to battle to the end, but the athleticism of the Delaware Tech squad proved to be too much to bear. Delaware Tech clinched the victory, with a final score of 85-64.
Bismarck State will advance to the 2nd round to play Phoenix College on Thursday, March 19 at 3:00 PM. Phoenix received a blind draw for the 1st round bye. Bismarck State will now compete in the consolation bracket, and will play Henry Ford on Thursday, March 19 at 11:00 AM.
GAME LEADERS FOR BISMARCK STATE:
TJ McCauley, 6'2" Soph, 24 pts
Billy Scott, 6'3" Fresh, 9 pts
GAME LEADERS FOR DELAWARE TECH:
Samuel Starks, 6'2" Fresh, 22 pts
Lancelot McDowell, 6'7" Soph, 17 pts
Rakee Anderson, 5'10" Soph, 15 pts