Danville, IL – Ancilla College came back from a 20-point deficit to get within seven points with a little over five minutes remaining. The Chargers did not scored another field goal the rest of the way as they fell to Sandhills Community College 103-89 in National Junior College Athletic Association District II Tournament late Friday afternoon. The Chargers (14-3) went 1-2 in the tournament, winning their first round game before falling in their last two.
Keith Rupert led Ancilla with 20 points in his first collegiate start. Rico Swanson, Jr. had 19 points and six assists. Caleb Brown finished with 13 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Cortney Shorter added 13 points, including a couple key baskets during the second half rally.
The Chargers had about a 16-hour turn-around from their late night Thursday overtime loss that kept them out of the championship round and that contributed to their slow start and tired legs at the end of the game. Sandhills had Thursday off since they began play on Tuesday, while the Chargers were one of four teams to play their first game on Wednesday.
With Brock Cosey and Jakylen Thomas sided with injuries they suffered earlier in the tournament, Coach Brian Pearison counted on his reserves, which included Jalen Fountain, Brady Powers, Shak Johnson and Rupert.
Sandhills CC will play Mott Community College for fifth place in the tournament on Saturday.
MEN'S COLLEGE BASKETBALL
NJCAA Division II National Tournament
Sandhills CC 103, Ancilla College 89
At Danville, IL
Sandhills CC ( 103): Savion Staton 10-21 7-9 30, Corry Addison 4-13 0-0 8, Keagan Brayboy 1-3 0-0 2, Derreco Miller 3-6 2-4 8, Bryan Quiller 8-12 1-3 18, Nasir Johnson 4-9 5-6 13, Nathan Yow 0-1 0-0 0, Dharyus Thomas 6-9 0-0 16, Camron Zachary 1-2 2-2 4, Jonah Murr 0-2 0-0 0, Will Boyd 2-3 0-0 4, Zac Sledge 0-0 0-0 0, Jeremiah Murphy 0-0 0-0 0. Team totals: 39-81 17-24 103.
ANCILLA (89): Jalen Fountain 2-4 2-2 6, Rico Swanson, Jr. 7-16 5-5 19, Brady Powers 1-7 1-4 3, Cortney Shorter 4-16 2-2 13, Marco Beverly 0-3 1-2 1, Keith Rupert 7-18 3-9 3-3 20, Nolin Sharick 0-0 0-0 0, Shak Johnson 4-6 6-8 14, Caleb Brown 6-11 1-6 13. Team totals 31-81 21-32 89.
Halftime: Sandhills 57-41. Three-pointers: Ancilla 6-25 (Swanson, Jr. 0-3, Rupert 3-9, Shorter 3-10, Beverly 0-1, Brown 0-1, Powers 0-1), Sandhills 8-20 (Staton 3-7, Addison 0-2, Quiller 1-1, Johnson 0-2, Thomas 4-5, Yow 0-1, Murr 0-2). Rebounds: Ancilla 47 (Brown 15), Sandhills 56 (Quiller 12). Assists: Ancilla 12 (Swanson, Jr. 6), Sandhills 19 (Addison 7). Turnovers: Ancilla 18, Sandhills 22. Fouls (Fouled out): Sandhills 26 (none), Ancilla 21 (Beverly). Records: Ancilla 14-3. Sandhills CC 21-5.
