Posted: Mar 05, 2026

Double OT classic sends Joliet to NJCAA Division III National Tournament

(Image courtesy of Joliet Junior College Athletics)

JOHNSTOWN, PENN. & ELYRIA, OHIO - The Joliet Junior College men's basketball team completed an incredible postseason run with an all-time classic 92-88 double overtime win over Virginia Peninsula Community College to win the NJCAA Mid-Atlantic District Championship. The Wolves opened the playoffs with a 103-80 defeat of Lorain County Community College in the sub-district final, and followed it up with an 88-67 decision over Pennsylvania Highland Community College to region the district title game. Danny Turner was named Mid-Atlantic District Coach of the Year.

In a tight, back-and-forth game from the opening tip, JJC led 35-33 at halftime before VPCC forced the game's first overtime tied at 76-76. Both teams scored eight points in OT and the Wolves doubled up Virginia Peninsula in the second OT to claim the four-point win. Jeff Fleming posted 18 points and 17 rebounds, while Kareem Parker came off the bench to register a double-double of his own with 17 points and 20 boards. Levi Goad led the scoring effort with 20 points, while Jyaveion Green added 18 points and Ricky Hill had 15 points. (Recap: Joliet)

In the district semifinals, Joliet Junior College used a 57-point second half to bust open a game they led by five at halftime. Fleming came through with another double-double of 18 points and 18 rebounds. The Wolves top scorer was Parker with 20 points, with 17 points from Hill and 11 points by Goad.

The opening game of the playoffs, JJC raced out to a 49-25 halftime lead and held off LCCC for the 23-point win. Three players scored 20 or more points, with Green leading the way off the bench with 23 points and ten rebounds. Goad finished with 22 points, while Fleming registered 20 points and 17 rebounds.

Joliet Junior College will take a 15-11 record to the NJCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship, where they will play as the #12 seed against #5-seeded Dallas College-Eastfield (20-9) in the first round. The game will tip off at 1:00 pm in Herkimer, New York. The winner advances to play #4-seeded Salem (30-2) in the quarterfinals.

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The Joliet Junior College women's basketball team failed to qualify for the postseason, taking a 77-66 loss to Triton College in the regular season finale to finish 12-14 on the year.

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