The guys getting pumped before the game #Hutch #EliteEight pic.twitter.com/etcmMAatRF
— SLCC Men's Bball (@SLCCbasketball) March 18, 2016
No. 13 seed Salt Lake Community College dismantled No. 12 Southwest Tennessee 105-76 in their quarterfinal matchup of the NJCAA National Tournament in Hutchinson, Kansas.
SLCC (29-8) continued their hot shooting against Southwest Tennessee (30-5), converting 14-of-24 3-point shots and 55.2 percent overall. The Bruins logged an efficient assist-turnover ratio of 1.56 (25 assists, 16 turnovers), compared to just 0.68 for the Saluqis (15 assists, 22 turnovers).
Four Bruins reached double figures, led by Tyler Rawson with 23 points on 9-of-14 shooting. Conner Toolson scored 18 points on 6-of-10 shooting and 4-of-7 from 3-point range. Gibson Johnson added 12 points and five rebounds and Austin Waddoups scored 10 points off the bench.
SLCC reserves outscored their counterparts 36-14. Bushmen Ebet scored nine points in 18 minutes, Tanner Newbold added eight points on two 3-pointers and two free throws and Christian Musoko contributed seven points and six rebounds in 21 minutes.
Southwest Tennessee struggled from the field, converting just 38.9 percent of their shots. Saluqi guard Lorenzen Wright Jr. led all scorers with 29 points, including 9-of-14 from beyond the arc.
Salt Lake will play No. 8 seed Gillette College tonight at 6 p.m. local time. The winner of this semifinal game will play for the NJCAA National Championship on Saturday.
Coach Phillips on the W-"Today our effort was phenomenal. We are talented, deep and have a lot of complimentary pieces" @NJCAA #bruinway
— SLCC Athletics (@BruinAthletics) March 18, 2016