HUTCHINSON, KAN. The Odessa College men’s basketball team couldn’t find any second-half magic this time.
After pulling even at halftime, the Wranglers did all they could against the No. 1 team in the nation before losing to Salt Lake Community College, 68-66, in an Elite Eight game at the NJCAA Men’s Division I National Championship Thursday at Hutch Arena.
Odessa College had one final possession with four seconds remaining to play but couldn’t connect on a game-tying attempt.
Anthony Marshall and Shakeem Alcindor each had 14 points to lead the Wranglers, with Daniel Rivera finishing with 11 points and Daniss Jenkins adding 10 in the loss.
Marshall also had team highs in rebounds (6) and assists (6).
Festus Ndumanya scored a game-high 16 points to lead the Bruins, with Doctor Bradley chipping in 12 and Jaquan Scott contributing 10 to the victory.
Salt Lake CC (34-1) earned the victory off the bench, its reserves outscoring the Wranglers’ subs 31-17 for the contest.
Odessa College (28-7) also struggled at the free throw line, hitting just 54.5 percent (12 of 22) of its attempts. The Bruins were 9-of-12 from the free throw line.
Tied 33-33 at halftime, Salt Lake CC went on an 8-0 run to open the second half, only to watch the Wranglers answer with a 9-0 run of their own to take a 48-47 lead with 11:15 remaining to play.
The teams traded baskets before the Bruins’ Jordan Brinson connected on a 3-pointer to move his team ahead, 52-20 with 10:19 remaining and Odessa College stayed close, but never led again.
It was the second this season that the Bruins have defeated the Wranglers, earning a 102-95 overtime victory in November at the OC Sports Center.
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