RVC upsets JJC in Region title game, both earn spots in NJCAA tournament

JOLIET, ILL. - The final score will say that Rock Valley College defeated Joliet Junior College by a 78-61 final to win the 2022 NJCAA Region 4 Division III Men's Basketball Tournament Championship, however, in the end, both teams came out as winners and are both in the field of 12 for the upcoming national tournament. Sophomore guard Chris Burnell earned Region 4 Tournament Most Valuable Player honors after helping push the second-seeded Golden Eagles to a third consecutive region title and their seventh in the last decade. The top-seeded Wolves were eyeing their first championship since 2017-18.

The postseason began with semifinal victories for both teams as Joliet Junior College, ranked #7 in the final NJCAA Division III Poll, downed #4 College of DuPage 93-64 and Rock Valley College survived overtime against #3 Madison College for a 93-86 decision. Building off a pair of wins during their regular season matchups, JJC jumped out to 8-0 lead in the championship, only to have 15th-ranked RVC answer with 18 of the next 20 points. Rock Valley College would eventually build to a 43-27 lead at halftime. The second half played more competitively, and and saw the Wolves trim the differential to as little as eight before the Golden Eagles secured the victory. Burnell finished with 11 points, six assists, and four rebounds. Four others were in double-figures, led by Malik Marshall's 17 points. Jhei-R Jones was tops for Joliet with 15 points.

Rock Valley College moved on the play and host the NJCAA Great Lakes District Championship against Region 12 winner Lorain County Community College. Second year forward Nick Pierson registered 23 points and ten rebounds as the Golden Eagles punched their ticket to the national tournament with a 61-54 victory. On March 2, Joliet Junior College learned it will join RVC at the 2022 NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championships as an at-large bid. The tournament will be hosted by Rock Valley College in Rockford, Illinois, from March 9-12. The 21-9 Golden Eagles are then #8 seed and will begin against #9 Herkimer Community College (NY/21-4) on Wednesday, March 9 at 6pm. The winner will play top-seeded Riverland Community College (MN/29-1) on Thursday, March 10 at 2pm. The Wolves are 26-4 and will play as the #10 seed, opening up on Wednesday at 4pm against Sandhills Community College (NC/26-7). Second-seeded Genesee Community College (NY/22-4) awaits the winner for a 6pm game on Thursday.

Region 4 All-Tournament Team
Keith Hoffman - Madison College
Joel Watts - Joliet Junior College
Jhei-R Jones - Joliet Junior College
George Williams - Rock Valley College
Malik Marshall - Rock Valley College
Chris Burnell - Rock Valley College

Region 4 Tournament MVP
Chris Burnell - Rock Valley College

Region 4 Coach of the Year
Tyler Bredehoeft - Rock Valley College