The “fourth time was the charm” for coach Mike Folda’s Trinidad State College team as the Trojans posted an 83-75 win over Pensacola State of Florida in an opening game at the 2025 National Junior College Athletics Association men’s Division I basketball championships in Hutchinson, Kan. on Sunday.

With the win, 23rd-seeded Trinidad State(19-14)  advances to a second-round meeting on Tuesday at 1:30 p.m. in Hutchinson versus second-seeded Trinity Valley Community College (30-3) of Athens, Texas.

The Trojans were making their fourth-straight appearance in the national tournament under Folda. The Region IX champions had dropped their opening games in the NJCAA hoop fest the past three seasons in Hutchinson to schools from Florida and Texas.  BRACKET

Lateef Patrick (33 points) and Amir Reaves (31) combined for 64 points and 17 rebounds to lead the Trinidad State as the pair made 22 of 34 shots from the field, including seven of 12 from behind the arc.  BOX SCORE

Trinidad State has won six straight games and 10 of its 11 starts.  Patrick (23.8 points per contest) and Reaves (18.4) entered the game by combining to score 42.2 of the Trojans’ 85.6 points a game.

In the post-game interviews, the announcer said it was the first time a school had two players score over 30 points in the history of the NJCAA Championships, which started in 1945.

While Trinidad State is appearing in its sixth NJCAA championship, Trinity Valley competes in its 12th national tournament and for the ninth time in the last 13 years.