HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Indian River State Pioneers defeated the Dawson Buccaneers in the opening round of the NJCAA Tournament 85-75 Tuesday morning at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.
Two Pioneers topped 20 points in the contest. Indian River was led by Linton Brown's 28 points and Abdoulaye Thiam added 20. Also in double figures was AJ Cajuste with 10.
The Buccaneers were led by Jajuan Tot's 16 points, Cordell Stenson and Jalen Tot each had 12 points.
The game was tight through the first 25 minutes or so. It was a one-point game at the 15:30 mark of the second half, then the Pioneers went on a 7-0 run in a 1:20 span and Dawson never got closer than six points in the rest of the game.
Indian River will play Southern Idaho Wednesday at 6 p.m. Dawson ends its season at 23-3.