Small Ball: CEU overwhelms Wallace State to reach NJCAA semis

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Earning a berth into the NJCAA Tournament required the College of Eastern Utah to survive its share of down-to-the-wire games. Now that the Eagles are in Kansas, they are quickly showing they belong.

Jonathan Mills scored 19 points and pulled down 13 rebounds to help power CEU to an 82-66 victory over Wallace State Community College in the NJCAA quarterfinal round on Thursday night.

Michael Glover added 16 points for the Eagles (26-9), who led through much of the first half and never trailed during the second half after wearing down the Lions with solid play around the basket and on the perimeter.

Wallace State (30-5) started fast — scoring the game's first seven points — and carved out a 16-10 lead on Gaither Hendrix's 3-pointer with 14:28 left before halftime.

The Lions did not stay in control for long. Starting with a basket from Glover, CEU ripped off a 9-0 run to take a 19-16 lead. Wallace State briefly climbed back in front when LA Farmer drained a 3-pointer to put the Lions ahead 24-22 with 8:22 remaining in the first half. After that basket, the Eagles took over.

Starting with a basket from Vander Joaquim that tied the game, CEU mounted a 20-2 run over an eight-minute stretch spanning both halves. By the time Isaiah Williams drilled a 3-pointer 51 seconds into the second half, the Eagles held a commanding 42-26 lead.

Wallace State got as close as 13 when Ricardo Hall made a pair of baskets to make it 49-36. CEU put the comeback threat to rest when Cliff Colomon buried a 3-pointer to touch off a 10-0 spurt that gave the Eagles a 59-36 lead with 12:28 remaining in the game.

CEU will face the winner of Howard College and Walters State Community College in the semifinals tonight at 6 p.m.

e-mail: jcoon@desnews.com