Blue Knights best UTTC Thunderbirds in regional finals
The Blue Knights basketball team at Dakota County Technical College defeated the United Tribes Technical College Thunderbirds 76–73 in overtime Sunday, March 5, 2023, to win the NJCAA Region 13 Championship. DCTC beat Dakota College at Bottineau to advance to the tournament finals.
The Blue Knights (15–11) will travel to Columbus, Nebraska, to play the Central Community College Raiders (21–9) on their home court in the North District playoff game Saturday, March 11, 2023, at 2 p.m. CST.
CCC downed Southeast Community College to win the Region 9 Championship. The North District champion will earn a bid to the 2023 NJCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Championship in Danville, Illinois, March 21–25, 2023.
Head Coach Peter Olafeso led the Blue Knights to the national tournament last year and in 2020. This season is his third as the team’s head coach.
“I am proud of this group,” Coach Olafeso said. “They are very resilient and have a business-like approach to being student-athletes. They work extremely hard and have put themselves in a position to play for a chance to go to the NJCAA DII National Tournament.”
NJCAA Region 13 honors
Region 13 Coach of the Year: Peter Olafeso
DII Region 13 MVP and All Region 13 Team: Keenan Jones
All Region 13 Team: Josh Ward
You can livestream the DCTC vs CCC North District playoff game at:
https://portal.stretchinternet.com/centralcccolumbus/
Learn more about NJCAA athletics at DCTC by visiting:
GoBlueKnights.com
