Holmes Bulldogs Vincennes, Next Up Second Seed NOC-Tonkawa
Vincennes University, technically the defending NJCAA champion (VU won it all in 2019 and last year’s tournament was canceled), went down to the hands (or paws), against the defensive minded Bulldogs from Holmes CC (MS), 71-66.
Holmes defensive tenacity was praised by Head Coach Jason Flanigan as the key to their victory. Both teams are amongst the leaders in defensive points allowed, HCC allowing 63.9, while VU betters that by .8 ppg.
Vincennes had the ball and a chance to tie with :09 seconds remaining. Enter Jordan Brister. It was then that Brister 5’5″ FR from Jackson, MS, made the play-of-the game. Jordan only played 4 minutes in the first half, and 15 for the game, but none were bigger than his defensive effort in the last ten seconds according to Holmes Head Coach Jason Flanigan.
Brister checked into the game with :20 seonds left, after teammate Kaleb Higgins (5’10” SO, Pine Bluff, AR) hit back to back free tosses. Jordan, who gives up almost a foot in height to the Blazers Nigel Martin, found himself guarding Martin after a defensive switch at the top of the key. Just as Flanigan had ordered from the sideline. Brister was in Martin’s grill and forced a double dribble giving the ball back to Holmes. Higgins added two more from the FT line to make the final margin of five.
Flanigan, on his team’s defense, and especially that effort by Brister, “The little fellow has been big all year. That’s the reason he was on the court at the end of the game. He’s been making big plays on defense, coming up with big steals, big rebounds at the end of games. Once again, he came up big for us tonight. Biggest play of the game!”
Holmes (16-3) lead most of the first half, their largest lead of nine, came with 2:54 to play in the first. Vincennes was able to trim it to six before half, 37-31 going into intermission with some momentum.
The Trailblazers, who finish the season at 17-7, took the lead a couple of times in the second half, and at one point held their largest lead of six at the 12 minute mark. Holmes always had an answer, though, and it usually started with the defense.
The game was tied four times and the game had lead changes.
Ball control was also big in Holmes’ win, committing only five turnovers in the game. The Blazers only had 11, but Holmes outscored them 12 to 7 from points on turnovers, and 7-0 on fast break points. The Dawgs were also a little stronger inside as they outpointed their opponent 26-18 in the paint.
The Bulldogs (16-3), led by Brandon Weatherspoon’s 22 points (6’4″ SO from Canton, MS), took the lead for good on an Ahmed Anthony (6’4 SO from Jackson, MS) tip-in with 5 to play. Anthony was the only other Bulldog in double figures with 12.
In their season finale, Vincennes was led by Randy Tucker’s 14 points (6’4″ SO from Rock Island, IL). Three others had double digits, Brevin Jefferson 11, and ten each from Nigel Martin and DJ Brewton. Christian Wells had game high 8 rebounds for VU.
Holmes moves on to face #2 Seed Northern Oklahoma-Tonkawa (23-1), the South Central District Champs. Tip-off at 2:00 on Tuesday, April 20.
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