Raiders Season Ends In Hutchinson, Falling to No. 1 Barton in NJCAA Quarterfinals

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Northwest Florida State men's basketball saw their season draw to a close Wednesday afternoon in Kansas as they fell to No. 1 Barton with a final score of 87-73 in the NJCAA DI Men's Championship Quarterfinals.

The game began with an exchange of momentum in the first five minutes of play. Northwest Florida briefly took a 10-7 lead over Barton after a put-back dunk from Tajuan Simpkins. However, Barton swiftly responded with a three-pointer, initiating a 12-0 run that propelled them to a 19-10 advantage.

Barton continued to extend their lead to double digits with a jumper at the ten-minute mark, reaching a 23-13 margin. Despite a late push by the Raiders, including a 7-0 run capped by consecutive threes from Tajuan Simpkins just before halftime, Barton held a seven-point lead heading into the break.

However, any hopes of a comeback were dashed in the second half as Barton regained control early on, maintaining a double-digit lead for the remainder of the game. Northwest Florida struggled offensively, particularly from beyond the arc, shooting only 13.3% from three-point range in the second half.

Barton led the game by as much as 23 points in the second half, and looked to have complete control of the game. Despite a late surge from the Raiders, narrowing the deficit to 11 points in the final minutes, Barton's dominance in the paint and efficient scoring secured their victory with a final score of 87-73.

In the stat sheet, Northwest Florida finished with a 35.9% shooting accuracy from the field, including 21.7% from three-point range. They did manage to win the rebound battle 38-35 but struggled to convert second-chance opportunities. Both teams struggled with turnovers, combining for 39, with Northwest Florida committing 20 and Barton 19.

Standout performances from Tavion Banks, who achieved his second consecutive double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds, and Jamal Sumlin, the leading scorer with 16 points and five steals, showcased the Raiders' efforts. RaSheed Jones contributed 13 points and two blocks, rounding out the trio of double-digit scorers for Northwest Florida.

With this defeat, Northwest Florida concludes their 2023-24 campaign with a 29-6 record, including notable successes with a 13-4 record at home, 6-0 on the road, and 10-2 in neutral settings.