HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In their last trip to Hutchinson for the NJCAA Division I Basketball Championship the Monroe Mustangs downed the Mineral Area College Cardinals 77-72.&nbsp;

Monroe, who is transitioning to NCAA Division II and will compete in the Central Atlantic Athletic Conference, was led in scoring by Nick Williams who had 24 as he shot 6 of 13 from the floor and 12 of 14 from the charity stripe.&nbsp;&nbsp;

The Mustangs also had Nacier Kirksey in double figures with 18 points.&nbsp;

The Cardinals had four in double figures as they were led by Nazier Allen, who scored 26. They had four more in double figures as Terron Garrett had 16, and Lorenzo Shields and Nassir Binon each added 10.&nbsp;

Monroe will play fourth seeded Trinity Valley at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.&nbsp;

MINERAL AREA (72)
Allen 26, Garrett 16, Binion 10, Shields 10, Dujling Jr. 6, Ruey 2, Richard 2.&nbsp; Totals: 25-61 FG 14-14 FT

MONROE (77)
Williams 24, Kirksey 18, Dunn 9, Tyler 7, Mosely 6, Pena 6, Rosario 5, Pang 2.
Totals: 27-64 21-27 77.

Halftime: Monroe 37, Mineral Area 27.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2026/3/1774134249187.jpeg" alt="(Hutch Post photo)" />
 <figcaption>(Hutch Post photo)</figcaption>
 </figure>MARC JACOBS Hutch Post&nbsp;&nbsp;HUTCHINSON, Kan. — In their last trip to Hutchinson for the NJCAA Division I Basketball Championship the Monroe Mustangs downed the Mineral Area College Cardinals 77-72.&nbsp;Monroe, who is transitioning to NCAA Division II and will compete in the Central Atlantic Athletic Conference, was led in scoring by Nick Williams who had 24 as he shot 6 of 13 from the floor and 12 of 14 from the charity stripe.&nbsp;&nbsp;The Mustangs also had Nacier Kirksey in double figures with 18 points.&nbsp;The Cardinals had four in double figures as they were led by Nazier Allen, who scored 26. They had four more in double figures as Terron Garrett had 16, and Lorenzo Shields and Nassir Binon each added 10.&nbsp;Mineral Area ends the season at 21-12Monroe will play fourth seeded Trinity Valley at 5:30 p.m. on Monday.&nbsp;MONROE 77, MINERAL AREA 22MINERAL AREA (72)
Allen 26, Garrett 16, Binion 10, Shields 10, Dujling Jr. 6, Ruey 2, Richard 2.&nbsp; Totals: 25-61 FG 14-14 FTMONROE (77)
Williams 24, Kirksey 18, Dunn 9, Tyler 7, Mosely 6, Pena 6, Rosario 5, Pang 2.
Totals: 27-64 21-27 77.Halftime: Monroe 37, Mineral Area 27.&nbsp;

🏀 Game 3: Monroe holds off pesky Mineral Area College