Midland wins third place game with 76-73

Midland (TX) CC won the third place game with a hard-fought 76-73 win over Southeastern Illinois (IL) CC at the NJCAA Tournament.

Midland made 14 of 22 (63.6%) shots from the field in the first half, but lead just 36-35 as Southeastern made 14 of 25 (56%).

Hakim Rasul led Midland with 22 points off the bench. He made seven of 13 from the field and eight of nine from the line. Rasul, who scored 73 points in four games, will go NAIA due to his age. Englebert Cherrington, who is getting many high major looks, scored 16 points and Brian Latham added 14. Rodney Epperson, who signed with St. John's, scored six points.

All-American Donta Smith, who signed with Louisville, was just five of 18 from the field as he finished with 16 points. He missed all six three-pointers, but did have seven assists. Richard Andrews had 13 points and Dwayne Brown added eleven.