HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Allegany College of Maryland hung around early against the nation’s No. 11 team, but Cowley ended the first half on an 18-5 run and never looked back to down the Trojans, 87-64, Sunday in the first round of the NJCAA Division 1 national tournament.
Allegany (26-8) was dealt the lowest seed at nationals at No. 24 and drew the highest-seeded at-large bid, Cowley (28-5), which was seeded No. 9.
The Trojans trailed just 21-19 at the under-eight timeout, but Cowley scored 18 of the next 23 points to lead 87-64. Cowley began the second half with a quick run to push its edge past 20 points, and ACM never recovered.
Cowley had five scorers in double figures.
Jeff Nwankwo ended with 21 points and 13 rebounds for a double-double; he made 10 of 13 shots from the charity stripe. Arzhonte Dallas (19 points), Corey Thomas (12) and Damare Smith (11) also ended in double figures as starters, and Shamarrie Hugie chipped in 16 points on 8 of 12 from the field off the bench.
Cowley made 35 of 72 field goals (48.6%) and 13 of 17 free throws (76.5%).
Allegany was just 24 of 64 from the field (37.5%) and 9 for 28 (32.1%) from deep. The Trojans turned the ball over 23 times compared to 14 giveaways by Cowley, which had a 29-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
Cowley dominated inside, outscoring ACM, 58-14, in the paint.
Jason Thomas paced Allegany College with 16 points, making 4 of 7 3-point shots, Cam Brown added 14 points and six assists, and Jeremiah Mobley tallied 12 points and eight rebounds.
Tyson Oghene, who scored 23 points in each of the Trojans’ first two district wins and is 21st nationally averaging 20.8 points per game, played just 18 minutes Sunday and was limited to three points on 1 of 4 shooting.
Allegany College competed in its 14th national tournament in school history. The Trojans’ last win came in 2002, a 79-61 win over Coastal Georgia.
Cowley advances to take on No. 8 Northwest Florida State (28-5) in the final 16 on Monday at 6 p.m.