No. 14 Trailblazers advance to National Quarterfinals with win over No. 3 Indian Hills

*Photos courtesy of Kristy Ehart Photography and the NJCAA*

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The No. 14 seed Vincennes University Trailblazers hit the floor at the Hutchinson Sports Arena Monday night in the second round of the 2025 NJCAA Division I National Tournament.

The Blazers faced another tough opponent in No. 3 seed Indian Hills Community College from Ottumwa, Iowa.

Vincennes was once again able to ride an early scoring run and fend off a late Warrior comeback to pick up the 85-71 victory over Indian Hills and advance to the National Quarterfinals.

The Trailblazers opened the game on another fast start, using an early 10-0 run to take a quick 10-2 lead.

Indian Hills would cut the lead down to three at 17-14 before the Blazers used a 10-3 run to get their first double-digit advantage of the night.

VU's largest lead of the first half would be 11 points before the Warriors hit a last second shot before the break to cut the VU lead to 35-26 heading into the locker room.

Indian Hills battled their way back early in the second half, cutting the VU lead down to just two points before the Blazers scored six straight.

Vincennes would regain composure down the stretch and outscore the Warriors 22-7 to take a 77-58 lead.

Indian Hills tried to get one last comeback attempt but were unable to get back within single digits as the Trailblazers closed out the 85-71 victory over the Warriors.

Vincennes was led offensively by sophomore Hussein Elmaraghy (Cairo, Egypt) who set a new season-high with 20 points and four rebounds in the game.

Sophomores Lebron Thomas (Bishopville, S.C.) and Bryan Akanmu (Paris, France) were also in double figures Monday night, with Thomas adding 15 points five assists and five rebounds, while Akanmu just missed out on a double-double with 14 points and nine rebounds for Vincennes.

Freshman Dayton Williams (Louisville, Ky.) and sophomore Michael Cooper (Minneapolis, Minn.) were the final Trailblazer scorers in double figures, with the pair scoring 11 points each and Williams adding three rebounds, while Cooper grabbed five rebounds off the bench.

The Trailblazers advance to the National Quarterfinals, where they will face off against the winner of No. 6 seed Panola College and No. 11 seed Frank Phillips College Wednesday, March 26 at 9 p.m. eastern.

Vincennes will find out who their opponent will be Wednesday night when Panola and Frank Phillips square off Tuesday, March 25 at 9 p.m. eastern.

VINCENNES BOX SCORE

VINCENNES (85): Bryan Akanmu 4-8 6-6 14, Lebron Thomas 5-12 4-6 15, Travelle Bryson 3-7 0-0 7, Dayton Williams 5-10 1-3 11, Hussein Elmaraghy 7-9 5-6 20, Christian Andrews 1-3 2-4 5, Michael Cooper 3-4 4-4 11, Ali Sakho 1-1 0-0 2, Team 29-54 22-29 85.

Indian Hills – 26   45 – 71

VU (28-4, 16-1) – 35   50 – 85

Three-point goals: VU 5 (Thomas, Bryson, Elmaraghy, Andrews, Cooper). Rebounds: VU 34 (Akanmu 9). Assists: VU 11 (Thomas 5). Steals: VU 5 (Akanmu, Thomas, Williams, Cooper, Sakho). Blocked Shots: VU 1 (Elmaraghy). Turnovers: VU 11. Personal Fouls: VU 16. Fouled out: None. Technical Fouls: VU Coach (2nd – 1:28).