Game 7
6 p.m.

Minneapolis Community & Technical College, Minn. 69
Bergen Community College, NJ 58

Gameline:

Minneapolis Community & Technical College defeated Bergen Community College 69-58 in game seven of the NJCAA Men’s Division III Basketball Championship Tournament. The Mavericks took their biggest lead in the second half and denied the Bulldogs the chance of a comeback for the remainder of the game.

Bergen Community College came out strong with a 6-0 lead in the first two minutes of the game. Minneapolis fought back quickly and tied the game at 9 with a three point shot from guard Sean Mayberry with less than 15 minutes left in a game. For the next 10 minutes, both teams traded baskets, shooting high percentages from the three-point line resulting in a 23-23 tie with six minutes left in the first half. With Bergen’s 6’8” center Jayvon Beady in foul trouble, Minneapolis began to take advantage and pounded the ball inside. Guard Kenny Olefeso converted on a three-point shot and a lay-up to give the Mavericks a 37-28 lead with less than a minute left in the first half. At the end of the half, the Mavericks held onto their lead. They went into the break with a 39-30 advantage over the Bulldogs.

Minneapolis kept their lead steady in the first seven minutes of the half as they answered every basket Bergen made. The Mavericks lead 49-38 with 13 minutes left in the game. Bergen cut the lead to 5 points with less than five minutes to go in the half. Forward Elgin Brown scored 10 points to help the Bulldogs closing the gap. Minneapolis held a 61-56 lead over the Bulldogs before Elgin Brown dunked and brought his team within two points of tying the game. The Mavericks forced two turnovers that lead to lay-ups by Cameron Hodges, increasing their lead to 9 points with just less than 30 seconds left to play. The Mavericks held this lead to win the game, 69-58.

Kenny Olafeso recorded 17 points and 9 rebounds for the Mavericks, while his brother, Peter Olafeso added 15 points and 7 rebounds. The Bulldogs were lead by Elgin Brown, who scored 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds.

Game 7

Minneapolis Community and Technical College Mavericks, Minn. (69)
Aaron Dorrell 4-12 3-4 13;
Brandon Alexander 3-7 0-2 8;
Jewry Hernandez 1-5 0-2 2;
Bryon Bautista 1-1 0-0 2;
Jayvon Beaty 1-5 2-3 4;
Derrick Ross 5-13 2-4 13;
Elgin Brown 8-13 0-0 16.
Total: 23-60 7-15 58

Halftime: Minneapolis 39; Bergen 30.

Bergen Community College Bulldogs, N.J. (58)
Sean Mayberry 3-5 2-4 10;
Kenny Olafeso 6-10 4-4 17;
Ronlad Kelly Jr. 1-1 0-0 2;
Demetrius Williams 3-8 2-4 9;
Peter Olafesco 7-12 1-2 15;
Cortez Wallace 2-6 1-6 5;
Cameron Hodges 4-8 3-4 11.
Total: 26-52 13-24 69.

Three-Point Goals

Minneapolis: Mayberry 2-4;
Olafeso 1-2;
Welsh 0-1;
D. Williams 1-4;
Wallace 0-1;
Hodges 0-3.

Bergen: Dorrell 2-3;
Schmidt 0-1;
B. Alexander 2-3;
Hernandez 0-2;
Ross 1-3.

Fouled Out:

None.

Rebounds:

Minneapolis 38 (Olafeso 9)
Bergen: 34 (Brown 10)

Assists:

Minneapolis: 14 (Olafeso 4)
Bergen: 6 (Dorrell 4)

Total Fouls:

Minneapolis 17
Bergen 18

Game 76 p.m.