DANVILLE, Ill. – Facing a win-or-go-home situation Wednesday afternoon, No. 12 seed Johnson County men's basketball team did not have the performance it needed to keep its season alive. The Cavaliers were eliminated from the consolation bracket at the NJCAA Division II Tournament Wednesday afternoon, falling to No. 5 Macomb 88-77 at Mary Miller Gymnasium in Danville, Ill.
Johnson County finishes the season with a mark of 28-7. Their 28 victories tie fourth most recorded in a season in team history.
Individually, forward Donald Bangham, Jr., was fantastic, putting together one of best performances in both a game and tournament by a JCCC player in national tournament history. The 6-5 freshman out of Ruskin High School drained a record seven 3-point baskets on his way to a 29-point effort which ranks as the third-best single game total in tournament history. Two days earlier in the loss to National Park, Bangham, Jr. poured in 27 points which now ranks as the fourth-best total ever recorded.
Bangham, Jr., made 10-of-13 shots overall and was 7-of-9 beyond the arc. He also grabbed seven rebounds and had two assists and a steal.
For the tournament, Bangham, Jr., set a new tournament record averaging 28.0 points and tied a tournament record making 66.7 percent of his 3-point attempts. His name also now etched among the all-time JCCC tournament leaders in field goal percentage (67.8% – 3rd), made field goals (19 - 10th), made 3-point field goals (10 - 5th) and total points (56 – 9th).
Also scoring in double figures for the Cavaliers were freshman forward Brandon Mann with 15, sophomore guard Elijah Cole with 13 and sophomore forward Kyler Mann with 11. He also pulled down 10 boards to post his second double-double in the tournament and his team leading 11th of the season.
Johnson County had a slight edge over Macomb from the field. Both teams made 29 field goals and the Cavaliers topped Macomb from 3-point range 11-to-10. The difference in the game was Macomb's ability to get to the line and knock them down. The Monarchs earned 24 attempts, making 20. JCCC was just 8-for-11.