Glendale Gets Ticket Punched
to NJCAA Big Dance

Glendale Community College earned its wat to the NJCAA District 1 Division 2 Championship and a trip to the NJCAA Division 2 National Championship Tournament with a resounding 101-87 victory over Johnson County Community College (KS). The Gauchos will represent Region 1 and District 1 at the NJCAA tourney in Danville, Illinois, on March 17-20.

Glendale jumped out ot an early lead and never looked back as the Gauchos outscored Johnson County 9-0 in the openinf two minutes of action. Glendale went on to build an 11-point lead with three minutes to play in the opening half. Johnson County responded with a 7-0 run to close the gap to 46-42 at intermission.

The Gauchos started strong in the second half and again built an 11-point advantage with 10 minutes to
go. The Cavaliers made their final run at the 6-minute mark to close to within just three points at 81-78, but could get no closer. Johnson County fouled in the closing minutes to get back in the game, but Glendale made 18-of-20 from the free throw line in that stretch to seal the victory.

Ryan Nelson paced Glendale with 27 points and 10 assists, while Eric Bloom added 18 points, five rebounds and 3 assists. Kevin Stevenson tallied a double-double for the Gauchos with 16 points and 10 rebounds.

Johnson County, the Champions out of Region VI, was led by Chris Boyd's 31 points and 11 rebounds. Stewart Campbell and Ryan Cooper added 20 points and 11 points, respectively, for the Cavaliers.