North Lake Finishes Fourth in Nation
Dallas College North Lake dropped the third place game to Salem Community College 76-75 Saturday at the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Tournament.
The Blazers (23-12) tied the game at 71 when Romiel Carter, who finished with 22 points, 22 points, 14 rebounds, two blocks and a steal, scored with 2:50 to play. That bucket came after his steal. Jordan Edwards, who had 16 points and five rebounds, sank the first of two free throws at the 2:00 mark to give North Lake a one-point lead.
Zach Thompson, who had 12 points, five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a block, hit two free throws 29 seconds later to put the Blazers up 74-71. Nayeem Johnson made a pair at the free throw line with 1:04 on the clock for the Mighty Oaks (32-3). Carter hit the second of two free throws with 25 seconds left to give North Lake a two-point lead. But Nasseem Wright drained a 3-pointer from the top of the key with 18 seconds remaining, and the Blazers couldn't convert on their last trip down the floor.
Both teams shot 38.1 percent, each going 24 of 61 from the field. Salem was 9 of 22 from the 3-point line. North Lake was 3 of 15.
The Blazers, who outrebounded the Mighty Oaks 47-39, led by as many as 10 with 9:56 to play when Ja'Den Stiggers made two free throws. Stiggers had 12 points and four rebounds, and was 4 of 7 from the floor. Salem's largest lead of eight came 6:23 before halftime.
Four Salem starters scored in double figures. Jarrell Little finished with 18 points, five rebounds and two steals. Johnson had 17 points, four rebounds and two blocks. Stefan Phillips had 13 points, four rebounds and a block. Zyaire Gibson had 11 points, eight rebounds and three assists.
North Lake outscored Salem 32-24 in the paint. The Blazers' bench outproduced the Mighty Oaks 16-11. North Lake also had a 10-4 advantage in second chance points production.
Carter, who was named to the all-tournament team, grabbed nine offensive rebounds – a category North Lake won 14-8.
The Blazers were playing in their third national tournament in the past four years under head coach Josh Mills.