Defending Champs Beat Vincennes, Return To Final Four
March 23, 2023 (Hutchinson, KS) – Vincennes, the 2019 Champions, and Northwest Florida State, the 2022 Champs, got together for a trip to the final four.
Two powerhouse programs with powerhouse coaches mixed it up and NWF found their stride early in route to a 11 point advantage, 8 minutes of game clock after the opening tip. As good teams do, VU had a good stretch in the later stages of the period, scoring the final six points to head into the break down only 37-32.
The Raiders slowly rebuilt their lead, and when Takai Simpkins made a 3-pt. jump shot at the 13 minute mark in the second half , NWF went up by 12, 53-41. Not too long later, the Raiders took the lead to 16 and VU’s night was over, never getting closer than 11 the rest of the way, eventually falling 68-55.
Northwest Florida jumps to 28-7 and will meet the winner of #3 seed Odessa and #6 Indian Hills Friday at 7:00.
The Raiders were powered by 22 points from Cad Baker-Mazara, Kesean Pryor with 16 points 8 rebounds, and Tavion Banks’12. NWF was -3 on rebounding margin, and committed four more turnovers than VU, but won the battle on the scoreboard.
The Trailblazers fall to 30-6, but a far cry better than their sub 500 record of a year ago.
Leading the way for VU was Caleb Johnson and Kris King’s with a dozen each. Shilo Jackson ended with 11 points and 9 boards. Michael Osei-Bonsu had game high 13 caroms.
