NCCC hoopers finish among top 10 nationally

NCCC hoopers finish among top 10 nationally

Niagara County Community College went 1-2 and finished among the top 10 in the country at last week's NJCAA Division II Tournament in Danville, Illinois. The Thunderwolves, who were seeded 10th, finished with an overall record of 27-9.

No. 7 Henry Ford College 86, No. 10 Niagara CCC 79

The T-Wolves opened the tournament with a tough setback to their old rivals from Michigan as they were out-scored 48-36 after intermission. Freshman Allen Fordham led NCCC with 18 points and eight rebounds, while classmate Lamar Lovelace netted 17 points and fellow frosh LaMarqus Merchant Jr. stuffed the stat sheet with 16 points, seven boards and four assists.

No. 10 Niagara CCC 90, No. 15 Muskegon CC 84

N-Trip freshman Justin Hendrick scored a team-high 21 points as the T-Wolves built a 52-35 halftime advantage and held on for the consolation victory. Freshman Taylor Sanders scored 19 points off the bench and Lovelace chipped in with 17 points and six rebounds.

No. 14 Dakota CTC 82, No. 10 Niagara CCC 73

Hendrick netted 21 points for the second straight day, but NCCC gave up 50 second-half points in defeat. Freshman Aaron Miller had his best game of the tourney, finishing with 14 points and nine rebounds.