BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
HUTCHINSON — The defending NJCAA men's basketball champion Barton Cougars went down battling to the final play of the game in a classic showdown.
No. 14 Barton nearly overcame a 15-point deficit before losing 73-70 to No. 10 ranked Daytona State, Fla. in Tuesday's second round of the NJCAA men's basketball tournament.
Daytona's Dylan Diaz drilled four 3-pointers and scored 15 points to lead the Falcons' 10 3-pointers.
Daytona led 64-61 after Barton's Aris Rodriguez hit a 3-pointer. Daytona's final three field goals were 3-pointers by Diaz, Isaiah Dorceus and Tyrese Lacey off a Dorceus assist for a 73-65 lead.
Barton's Rodriguez made another 3-pointer and Brent Moss converted a rebound basket off Kindell's assist for a 73-70 score. Dorceus missed a free throw when a final tying 3-pointer by Lyna Brooks, Jr. banged off the rim.
Moss sparked an inspired rally with 28 points and 12 rebounds against a physically imposing Daytona frontline. Wichita State signee Keandre Kindell delivered eight assists, but his high energy playing style was slowed by constant foul trouble. Rodriguez contributed 17 points and delivered a plus-9 point differential when he played his 22 minutes.
"The second half Brent was phenomenal getting to the bucket," said Barton coach Jeremy Coombs. "He hit a couple 3s, which I'm glad he did because there's been question marks about whether he can shoot it. I was proud how we played when Keandre left the game. We found a few mismatches and took advantage. Without Keandre, we're a different team."
Barton exhibited its toughness by outscoring the Falcons 40-30 after halftime by slowing the Falcons with improved rebounding and overall defensive intensity against a talented team.
"We defended much better and rebounded way better," Coombs said. "We did a better job finding their shooters in transition."
Daytona was granted a friendly break when an apparent offensive goaltending call against Noan Mendy was ignored for a 51-45 lead. Coombs asked about a possible video review.
"They can't review it because they didn't call anything," he said.
The Cougars misfired from the free throw line with 11 of 22 tries including a crucial 1-for-6 stretch with Barton down 60-55.
"We've been a good free throw shooting team," Coombs said.
The Cougars (25-9) had a 14-game winning streak at the Sports Arena ended. Daytona's Tyrese Lacey (14), Dorceus (12) and Ryen Bewley (10) scored in double figures.
The Falcons pushed their lead to 40-25 with a half-dozen 3-pointers and a dozen offensive rebounds.
"We battled, but it was tough," Coombs said. "Daytona crashes the boards and plays physical. They got us pretty good on the boards. We gave them too many second-chance opportunities and they made open threes."
The Cougars were challenged every game by teams that wanted to beat the defending Jayhawk League and NJCAA champions.
"This was my hardest year because we set the standard so high," he said. "It's a testament to where the program is at. Every team wanted to knock off the defending champs. After this loss, the hunger is back, and we'll work hard to get back. Our freshmen gained a lot of experience."
BARTON (25-9) (FG 3 FT TP)—Moss 12-21 (2-3) 2-3 28; Rodriguez 4-14 (3-8) 6-8 17, Muchitsch 2-5 (1-2) 2-6 7, Smith 3-9 (0-2) 0-3 6, Kindell 2-8 (1-2) 0-0 5, Parlow 2-6 (0-2) 1-2 5, Williams 1-2 0-0 2, Brooks (0-1) 0-0 0, Totals 26-66 (7-20) 11-22 70
Barton 30 40—70
Daytona 43 30—73
DAYTONA STATE, FLA. (28-5) (FG 3 FT TP)—Diaz 4-10 (4-9) 3-3 15, Lacey 6-10 (2-5) 0-0 14, Dorceus 5-10 (2-4) 0-1 12, Ryan Bewley 3-6 (0-1) 4-8 10, Placer 1-6 (0-4) 0-0 2, Payne 4-7 0-0 8, Mendy 2-7 (1-5) 0-0 5, Cuevas (1-4) 0-0 3, Matt Bewley 2-5 0-0 4, Totals 28-65 (10-32) 7-12 73
Rebounds—BC 37 (Moss 12); DS 48 (Dorceus, R. Bewley, Diaz, M. Bewley 6). Assists—BC 15 (Kindell 8); DS 22 (Dorceus 8). Steals—BC 9 (Parlow 3); DS 7 (Dorceus 3)
2025 NJCAA TOURNAMENT
FIRST ROUND—Connors State, Okla. 80, John A. Logan, Ill. 75; Barton 92, Brunswick, N.C. 62; Monroe, N.Y. 79, Chipola, Fla. 78 (OT); Triton, Ill. 58, Columbia State 55; Trinidad, Colo. 83, Pensacola, Fla. 75; Vincennes, Ind. 69 Three Rivers, Mo. 51; Angelina, Texas 87, South Georgia State 70; Frank Phillips, Texas 83, Wallace State 69
SECOND ROUND—Connors State, Okla. 63, Snow, Utah 62; Cowley College 63, Triton, Ill. 62; South Plains, Texas 91, Monroe, N.Y. 71; Vincennes, Ind. 85, Indian Hills, Iowa 71; Daytona, Fla. 73, Barton Cougars 70; Trinity Valley, Texas 92, Trinidad, Colo. 60; Angelina, Texas 74, No. 5 Jones, Miss. 62; Panola, Miss. 60, Frank Phillips, Texas 53
WEDNESDAY QUARTERFINALS
12—No. 17 Connors State, Okla. (30-3) vs. No. 8 Daytona, Fla. (28-5)
2:30—No. 2 Cowley (30-4) vs. No. 7 Trinity Valley (31-3)
5:30—No. 4 South Plains, Texas (28-6) vs. No. 12 Angelina, Texas (28-6)
8—No. 14 Vincennes, Ind. (28-4) vs. No. 6 Panola, Miss. (29-6)
