Advancing: NWF Secures Quarterfinal Berth with 85-70 Win over Cowley in NJCAA Championships Second Round
HUTCHINSON, Kan. – Northwest Florida State men's basketball keeps their season alive with a crucial 85-70 victory over Cowley in the second round of the NJCAA Division I Men's Basketball Championships. A second-half offensive surge propelled them past the Tigers, securing their spot in Wednesday's semifinal round against top-seeded Barton.
The Raiders got off to a slow start in the contest, missing their first four shot attempts. However, they quickly turned things around after Jadyn Shider's second-chance layup under the rim. Over the next ten minutes, the Raiders only missed four shots, propelling them to a 17-point lead with just under nine minutes left in the half. This impressive run was fueled by aggressive defense and strong play in the paint, particularly from Tavion Banks and Jadyn Shider, who were both nearing double-double territory.
Despite Northwest Florida's strong start, Cowley fought back fiercely in the final eight and a half minutes of the half. They initiated a 26-9 run, completely wiping out their double-digit deficit and tying the game at 39 going into halftime. During this stretch, the Raiders committed six turnovers, doubling their total for the rest of the half.
Despite relinquishing their lead, Northwest Florida maintained a 52% shooting percentage and held a plus-two advantage on the boards over Cowley at halftime. Banks, Tajuan Simpkins and Tyrese Elliott led the charge with seven points each. Shider and Banks owned the glass in the first half with Shider grabbing eight rebounds and Banks securing seven.
In the second half, the Raiders shook off their rough finish to the first half, starting the final 20 minutes with a 13-2 run, reclaiming their double-digit lead. They continued to attack the paint aggressively, forcing Cowley's defenders into tough decisions. This strategy led to open looks for shooters like Tajuan Simpkins, who contributed to a 26-5 scoring run with two three-pointers, extending the Raider lead to 21 points – their largest of the game so far.
At this juncture, everything seemed to favor the Raiders as Cowley struggled to score and respond to Northwest Florida's offensive onslaught. With less than five minutes remaining, the Raiders held onto a commanding 24-point lead and showed no signs of relenting. Although Cowley made a late push in the final two minutes, it was not enough as Northwest Florida secured an 85-70 victory over No. 9 Cowley, advancing to the quarterfinal round on Wednesday against top-seeded Barton.
Tyrese Elliott emerged as the top scorer for the Raiders, concluding the game with 19 points, along with contributing three assists and a steal. Simpkins showcased another solid performance, tallying 17 points while securing four rebounds and distributing three assists. Tavion Banks and Jamal Sumlin both achieved double-doubles, with Banks notching 14 points and 12 rebounds and Sumlin recording 15 points and 11 rebounds. Shider came close to a double-double, falling just one point short as he scored nine and grabbed 12 rebounds.
The Raiders are now gearing up for Wednesday's showdown against top-seeded Barton. The Cougars, reigning Region VI Champions, boast the nation's best record at 31-1, with their sole defeat against Cowley in November. The victor of Wednesday's game will progress to Thursday's semifinal round, awaiting the outcome of game 19. Tip-off for Wednesday's clash between Northwest Florida and Barton is scheduled for noon (CDT).