MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The 11-seed Northwest Florida State Raiders held of a pesky group of Bobcats as the downed Bishop State 83-79 on Sunday night at the Sports Arena.
The Bobcats, making their first appearance in the national tournament, kept the score close as the Raiders didn't pull out to a double-digit lead until the 12:11 mark of the second half with a layup by Braylon Roman.
The Bobcats got the lead cut down into single digits, 77-63, at the 1:13 mark of the second half with a layup by Tasheim Cary.
The Raiders were led in scoring by Roman who finished with 26. Two others were in double digits as Jonas Nichols had 12 and Justin Burns had 10. Northwest Florida State shot 44.4% (32 of72) from the floor with 6 treys and 13 of 20 from the charity stripe.
Bishop State also had three in double figures led by Tasheim Gary with 21, followed by Vophcy Prophete with 16 and Patrick Olajuwon added 10. The Bobcats shot 49.1% (26 of 53) frogarym the floor with 5 three pointers and were 18 of 29 from the free throw line.
Bishop State season ends with a 17-16 record.
Northwest Florida State improves to 26-7 and will play six seed Vincennes on Tuesday night at 8 p.m.
NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE 83, BISHOP STATE 75
Bishop State (75) Gary 9-14 2-4 21, Prophete 4-5 5-8 16, Olajuwon 3-5 4-6 10, Carter 4-9 0-0 9, Feagin 3-5 1-4 7, Sem 2-8 2-3 6, Martes 1-6 4-4 6. Totals 26-54 FG, 5-16 3pt, 18-29 FT, 75.
Northwest Florida State (83) Roman 11-17 2-7 26, Nichols 5-13 0-1 12, Pierce 3-5 2-2 8, Vann-Kelly 3-8 0-0 7, Marquez 1-2 4-4 7, Reid 3-6 0-0 6, Dorman 2-7 0-1 4, Barber 0-2 2-4 2, Shine 0-6 1-2 1. Totals 32-72 FG, 6-21 3pt., 13-20 FT, 83.
Halftime Score: Northwest Florida 33, Bishop State 27.
Team fouls: Northwest Florida State 18, Bishop State 15. Fouled out - none.