Trinidad State continues to dominate the Region IX men’s basketball postseason as the Trojans posted a 101-91 win over in-state Lamar on Saturday in Sterling, Colo., to advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association tournament later this month in Hutchinson, Kansas.
With several ties and lead changes in the first half, Trinidad State never trailed in the final 20 minutes after taking a 50-49 lead at halftime on a dunk by Manning Shareef with 76 seconds left before intermission.
The Trojans (17-16) shot 57.1 percent from the field (32 of 56, including 56.3 percent on 3-pointers – 18 of 32) while making all 19 free throws in the game. Trinidad State also out-rebounded Lamar 32-19. BOX SCORE
Shareef, a 6-7 freshman from Milwaukee, paced Trinidad with 31 points, 12 rebounds, and three assists. He finished the four-game playoff run with 105 points, 30 rebounds, and nine assists. He made 23 of 38 shots from the field and 15 of 17 free throws.
Demorae Pritchett, a 6-5 freshman from Houston, had 18 points in the Lamar win and 99 points in the four playoff games by making 26 of 46 shots from the field and 28 of 32 charities.
For Lamar (19-15), Christian Payawal led five double-figure scorers with 22 points. The Antelopes shot 52.2 percent (35 of 67) from the field and made all nine of their free throws (9 for 9). But Lamar made only 36.4 percent (12 of 33) of its three-point attempts.
With their fourth-straight road win during the postseason this March, Trinidad State (17-16) secured its fifth-straight Region IX title, as the Trojans have now won 18-straight playoff games.
With Mike Folda coaching the Trojans, all five championship victories have been away from Trinidad. Overall, TSC won seven Region IX titles with other crowns in 1962 and 1986.
The NJCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament is March 21-28 in Hutchinson, Kan. Trinidad State won one of two games at the 2025 event.
Thursday, March 12 quarterfinals at Sterling, Colo.
- Lamar 84, Casper 70
- Laramie County 88, McCook 79
- Northwest 76, North Platte 74
- Trinidad 78, Northeastern 74
Friday, March 13 semifinals at Sterling, Colo.
Saturday, March 14 finals at Sterling, Colo.
- Trinidad State, 101, Lamar 91 BOX SCORE
