The Tribune

The Trinity Valley Community College Cardinals got back into the win column and advanced to the second round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament. 

Lathaniel Bastian finished with five points, seven rebounds and a team high two blocked shots in just 18 minutes off the bench in the Cardinals’ 96-91 win over the Brunswick Community College Dolphins yesterday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The Cardinals are seeded at No.9 and will advance to face No. 8 seed Cowley Tigers in the second round today at 5:20 pm local time.

Cowley enters the national tournament at 21-4 and won the NJCAA Region XI Championship.

TVCC had their 22-game win streak snapped in a 68-67 loss to Kilgore College in the NJCAA Region XIV Tournament final. Both losses for the 22-2 Cardinals this season have come against Kilgore.

The Cardinals went on to receive an at-large bid.

Bastian has averaged 6.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game this season.

The NJCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Championships are held annually in March at the Hutchinson Sports Arena in Hutchinson, Kansas.

The event is single elimination and consists of 23 games over six days.

The NJCAA is divided into 24 Regions that form 16 Districts. The 16 District Champions receive automatic berths in the National Championship, and there are eight at-large bids extended. This format has been in effect since the 2017 Championship.