Box Score BY MIKE MONTFORT
Sophomore Edward Manuel poured in a game- and career-high 24 points as Navarro put together one of its better all-around performances that resulted in Wednesday's 87-60 romp past the Tyler Apaches here at Lewis Orr Court in the Wolens Special Events Center.
Manuel, a Lake Charles, La., product, averaging 6.4 points and 3.4 rebounds, fashioned his 7th career double-figure scoring game at Navarro as coach Grant McMillan's Bulldogs (8-5) won a second game in three days and moved into a third-place tie with Kilgore, a 73-65 loser to Panola at Carthage.
Manuel nailed 8-of-13 shots from the floor, including 4-of-6 treys. His previous career-high was a 16-point effort during Navarro's 89-83 win at Trinity Valley last season.
Manuel set the tone for a fluid Navarro offense that
(A) shot 56 percent from the floor (33-of-59) for a second straight game and fourth time this season;
(B) buried a season-high 13 three-pointers with 59 percent marksmanship beyond the arc; and,
(C) reset its season high in assists (30).
"It was a 40-minute effort for Navarro basketball," McMillan said after the game. "I'm very proud of our team."
Drue Drinnon and Jaylen Harrison each pitched in 15 points for the Bulldogs with a combined 8-of-11 shooting from the circle.
Navarro began clicking on all cylinders midway through the first half. Chris Collingsworth's bucket pulled the Apaches within 15-11, when Drinnon, Manuel, Harrison and Moor fired threes in succession. Then, the cap the flurry, Manuel converted an old-fashioned three-point play that gave NC a 30-20 lead it never relquished.
Manuel's three-point play spawned a nine-point run that was aggravated at the 3:45 mark when TJC coach Mike Marquis drew a technical foul.
Navarro expanded its 16-point halftime lead, knocking down eight three-pointers during the final 20 minutes.
NC travels Saturday to Paris where it will play coach Bill Foy's Dragons at The Hunt Center, where no fans or spectators are allowed because of COVID-19 protocol. Paris (7-7) suffered a triple-overtime loss at home Wednesday to Blinn, 82-77.
----
NAVARRO 87, TYLER 60 -- FINAL
SCORE BY HALVES
Tyler…………..27...33 -- 60
Navarro……..43...44 -- 87
TJC (60): Jestin Porter 10, Scott Turner 10, Isaac Aguiar 8, Angel Dibwa 7, Michael Perez 7, Dominique Michael 5, Blessing Adespie 4, Chris Collinsworth 4, Enoch Fatade 4. TOTALS: 21-4-(9-14)-60.
TOTAL FOULS: NC - 12.
REBOUNDS: NC - 33 (6/27). Doumbia 8, Moor 7,.Mawein 6, Drinnon 3, Harrison 2, Peel 2, Philip 2, Washington 2.
ASSISTS: NC – 30. Peel 6, Drinnon 5, Harrison 4, Moor 4, Mawein 3, Philip 3, Doumbia 2, Washington 2.
STEALS: NC - 5. Manuel 2, Drinnon 1, Harrison 1, Peel 1.
BLOCKED SHOTS: NC – 6. Doumbia 4, Washington 2.
JUNIOR COLLEGE BASKETBALL SCOREBOARD WEDNESDAY
Games March 10, 2021
REGION XIV
Lamar State-Port Arthur 80, Victoria 65
Blinn 82, Paris 77 (3-OT) Regulation ended at 54 as Paris' DaMay Jones hit 3 free throws with 0.8 left. 2-OT 66-66; 3-OT 73-73.
Navarro 87, Tyler 60
Panola 73, Kilgore 65 PJC: Cody Deen, Region XIV individual high-game 43
TVCC 90, Jacksonville 81
Tuesday Final -- Bossier Parish 93, Coastal Bend 65
----
REGION V NTJCAC
McLennan 71, Weatherford 69 (OT)
Southwestern Christian 90, Temple 79
Grayson 104, Hill 88 -- GCC: D.J. Thomas 1000 career points
(Non-Conference)
Ranger 100, Strength N Motion 42 -- RC: Keisei Tominaga becomes Rangers' all-time leading three-point maker.
Texas Wesleyan JV at Collin -- Cancelled
REGION XIV MEN'S STANDINGS
After Games Wednesday, March 10
TEAM.....................W-L
TVCC.....................12-1
Panola...................10-3
Kilgore....................8-5
Navarro...................8-5
Blinn.......................6-4
Paris.......................7-7
Victoria...................3-5
BPCC......................5-7
Tyler.......................4-8
Lamar State............4-9
Coastal Bend...........3-8
Jacksonville............3-12
