NIACC moves to regional final

CEDAR RAPIDS - Deundra Roberson has scored over 1,000 points in his NIACC career.

But Roberson's biggest two to date came at the buzzer on Wednesday to lift NIACC to a thrilling 76-74 victory over Kirkwood in the NJCAA Region XI tournament semifinals. He connected on a short shot in the lane as time expired to lift the Trojans into Saturday's regional title game for the second straight year.

NIACC's Quentin Hardrict drove into the lane near the free throw line and dished to his former high school teammate Roberson, who drained the game-winner from about six feet away.

NIACC led by as many as 12 points in the second half, but Kirkwood battled back to tie the contest at 74-74 with about 30 seconds to play.

Roberson then gave NIACC the lead for good at the buzzer as the Trojans won at Kirkwood for the first time since the 1997-98 season. In Steve Krafcisin's first-year as coach of the NIACC men, the Trojans topped the Eagles 71-68.

Fourth-seed NIACC, which fell to Kirkwood in the 2019 regional title game, plays second-seed DMACC in Saturday's regional final. Game time on Saturday in Boone is slated for 3 p.m.

In Wednesday's regional semifinal, sophomore point guard Quentin Hardrict led the Trojans with 19 points. Wendell Matthews was next in line with 18 points.

Also for the Trojans, Trey Sampson scored 16 points with 15 rebounds. Roberson scored 12, including his buzzer beater, and James Harris scored 10 points.

Hardrict dished out seven assists and Harris grabbed six rebounds.

Kirkwood, which topped NIACC twice during the regular season, was led by Seybian Sims with 12 points. Luke Appel scored 11 points.