NJCAA Division II NATIONAL TOURNAMENT

Owens Express men rally to advance; women fall into consolation bracket after overtime loss

3/20/2013

DANVILLE, Ill. — The Owens Community College men’s basketball team stormed back from a 14-point deficit Tuesday to defeat No. 11 Iowa Lakes Community College 74-72 in the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

Iowa Lakes led 65-51 with 8 minutes, 13 seconds left before the Express rallied.

Joe Retic II scored his team’s final five points and finished with 17.

The Express ended the game with a 20-5 run.

James Kelly added 16 points, six rebounds, and a key blocked shot late. Kelly scored eight straight points during one stretch of the rally. Andy Bachman added 12 pionts and six rebounds.

It was the first national tournament win for the Express since 2000.

Dondre Parks led Iowa Lakes with 22 points, while Josh Schaben had 17 points.

Owens (25-8) advanced to the quarterfinals to take on Central C.C. of Columbus, Neb., at 6 p.m. today. Central upset No. 1 seed and defending national champion Mott C.C.

Owens women fall

EAST PEORIA, ILL. — The Owens Community College women’s basketball team let a seven-point lead slip away and fell 76-68 in to overtime loss to Community College of Rhode Island in the NJCAA Division II national tournament.

No. 13-ranked CCRI outscored No. 9 Express 12-4 in overtime.

Mackenzie Heacock led the No. 9 Express with 20 points. Karahn Scott added 14 points and eight rebounds, while Jordyn Bond had 10 points, nine rebounds, seven assists, and three blocked shots.

Allexia Barros led CCRI with 28 points, while Nyjah Porcher had 15 points.

The Express fell into the consolation bracket and will take on Erie C.C. at 9 a.m. Thursday.