HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The No. 4 Vincennes University Trailblazers fell in the opening game of the 2024 NJCAA Division I National Championship tournament in Hutchinson Tuesday afternoon, falling to No. 13 Odessa College 58-56.
Both teams really struggled to get their footing early on and would prove to be a preview of what would ultimately be a very tough defensive battle.
The two teams traded baskets for most of the first half, with the lead changing hands five times and the score being tied an additional six times throughout the first 20 minutes of play.
Vincennes would grab the lead late in the first half on a three-pointer by sophomore Kent King (Washington, D.C.) to put the Blazers ahead 28-27 at the break.
VU looked to grab the momentum early in the second half by building a 33-30 lead before the Wranglers answered back with a 10-0 scoring run to take a 40-33 lead.
The Trailblazers would battle down the stretch, using a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to two and using a four-point possession to even the score at 56-56.
VU sophomore Michael Osei-Bonsu (Bolingbrook, Ill.) grabbed a rebound put back and converted the and-one free throw to seven the score with 47.8 seconds remaining.
Odessa was able to convert on their end of the floor on a put back dunk to put the Wranglers ahead by two with 20 seconds to play.
VU got down the floor with plenty of time and was able to get a pair of good shot attempts but were unable to get a make as the buzzer sounded and ended the game with the Blazers on the wrong end of a 58-56 final score.
The Trailblazers were led offensively by an outstanding game by freshman Damarien Yates (Somerville, Tenn.) who finished with 22 points and seven rebounds.
Sophomore Kris King (Washington, D.C.) had a big impact off the bench, ending the game with seven points and team-highs with 10 rebounds, six assists and a pair of steals.
Sophomore Kent King was the second VU scorer in double figures, finishing the game with 12 points and four rebounds.
Sophomore Michael Osei-Bonsu just missed out on a double-double, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds.
The Trailblazers end the season with a final record of 30-4, with a 17-2 record against Region 24 opponents, capturing VU’s first District Tournament Championship since 2018.
