Shelton State Was Thirteen Better Than Northeastern

The final game of the first round saw the #11 seed Buccaneers of Shelton State CC (AL), the South District Champions, challenged by the #22 seed Pioneers of Northeastern JC, located in Sterling, CO.

Neither team came out on fire, but Shelton gradually built a lead and the margin reached 12 on a 3-pointer by Antonio Thomas fifteen minutes in. The Bucs took their largest advantage of 14 just a few minutes later. SSCC went into the locker room with an eleven point cushion, 37-26.

Neither team shot well in the first twenty, NJC good on ony 28% of 32 tries. Meanwhile Shelton was barely over 33% connecting on 11 of 31. Shelton had half of their lead from FT line going 11-12, compared to 5 out of 7 for Northeastern.

Shelton State, now 24-1, had four in double figures. Willie Johnson (6’0″ SO from Tuscaloosa, AL, was team high with 19, eleven of those coming in the second half. Justin Bufford followed that with 17, Andres Burney ended up with 14. Thaddeus Williams finished with 12 and added team high 8 rebounds.

Northeastern kept the lead from extending, being outscored by only two, 42-40 in the second half. Yielding the final 13 point deficit. NJC finds their North Plains District Championship season end at 15-6.

For the Pioneers, three people topped the ten point barrier. Dalton Knecht (6’7″ SO from Thornton, CO) was game high, pouring in 21. Next in line was Jared Adams with 15. Cyler Kane-Johnson contributed 13. Adams also was game high rebounding with 9.

Shelton State will now play #7 seed Chipola College (FL), the South Atlantic District Champions and a record of 18-3. Chipola is making their 16th trip to Hutch, the last time in 2014. Tip-off is scheduled for Wednesday, April 21 at 8:00.