In Cedar Rapids on March 7, the Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) men’s basketball team played in what ended up being their last game of the season. The Bears played Kirkwood Community College (KCC) in the semifinals of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Region XI Division II Men’s Basketball Championship. DMACC lost by a final score of 87-77
It was a slow first half start that put the Bears down early. Offensively DMACC was struggling to get points early as they only shot 5-17 from behind the three-point line was 12- 41 in total field goals.
Kirkwood however did not struggle early. As a team, KCC shot 54 percent from the field and was a hot 70 percent from 3. This had KCC up 32-40 at halftime.
DMACC heated up in the second half, but KCC stayed efficient and it was too late. DMACC shot 53 percent from the field up from 29 percent in the first half. KCC never slowed down and continued their efficient scoring into the second half, shooting 51 percent from the field and knocking down 11 of their 12 free throw attempts.
DMACC was led in scoring by DeShawn Davidson with 19 points and Tray Buchanan with 21 points. Zaire Swaby led the team with 7 rebounds. Vinny Tarello off the bench shot 60 percent making 3 three pointers. Devonta Prince led the team with 5 steals.
The Bears’ are graduating 9 players. DeShawn Davidson, Tray Buchanan, Devonta Prince, Dyllan Robinson, Ray Miller, Zaire Swaby, Quinton Taylor, Louis Psihoyos, and Theron Sanders. DMACC finished the season with a 22-10 record.