SPORTS

Titans lose, Brewton hurt in national basketball final

Mike Parsons

HUTCHINSON, Kansas - The Eastern Florida State College men’s basketball team’s run ended Saturday night, losing to the hometown Hutchinson Community College Blue Dragons 84-58 in the NJCAA Division I National Championship Game.

The Titans never got on track in the first half as Hutchinson led from start to finish in front of a nearly sold-out Hutchinson Arena.

Michael Nuga shoots for EFSC against host Hutchinson, Kansas.

“It just wasn’t our night,” EFSC coach Jeremy Shulman said. “Unfortunately, that happens sometimes, but I am so unbelievably proud of this team, they compete from the opening tip to the final buzzer.”

Already down 23 at the half, the Titans came out in the second half and tried to get back into the contest, cutting the lead to 13 at one point on an Ahmed Ali 3-pointer but could not close the gap.

Titans leading scorer Kareem Brewton injured an ankle early in the second half and was helped to the sideline. He did not return.

The EFSC Titans regrouped at the end of the national tournament.

Ali, Brewton and Eli Abaev all made the all-tournament team and Ali also won the Bud Obee Small Player Award for the tournament.

Ali finished with 12 points and averaged 17.5 points in the tournament. Abaev had 11 rebounds and averaged 12 rebounds per game in the tournament.

Shaq Carter finished with a team-high 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds while Michael Nuga also had 12 for the Titans,  who finish the season 31-6.

EFSC men’s basketball to play for NJCAA national championship

“I am just so proud of them, even for just getting here and setting all of the school records and getting to the national championship game,” Shulman said. “This coaching staff, I am blessed to be around such great guys every day and then the administration, with Dr. (James) Richey and athletics director (Jeff) Carr. We are great because of the organization from top to bottom and I am blessed to coach here, blessed to coach these guys and unbelievably proud of the season we had.”

The EFSC Titans basketball team.
The EFSC Titans are warming up for the national championship game.

It was the first national championship game appearance for the Titans, who set a school record with 31 wins.

 

EFSC men’s basketball team reaches NJCAA Final Four

The sixth-seeded Titans had used a late run in the final five minutes to defeat South Plains 77-65 in the semifinals on Friday night,  while Hutchinson defeated Northwest Florida State 88-79 in the first semifinal.