Thunderducks Capture Outright DAC Championship

DALLAS – Dallas College Richland's men's basketball team clinched an outright Dallas Athletic Conference title Saturday with its 101-62 win at Dallas College Mountain View.

It is the second straight DAC title for the Thunderducks, who own the No. 1 ranking in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III poll.

Richland (20-6, 13-0 DAC) extended its winning streak to 16 in a row, and secured its second straight 20-win season. The 39-point win over the Lions was the Thunderducks' largest win in conference play this season. Richland's largest win was a 102-58 victory over Nelson University Junior Varsity on Dec. 2.

Four Richland starters scored in double figures. Jase Tarver finished with 24 points on 8-of-12 shooting, six rebounds and three steals. DJ Willis had 18 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals. He was 4 of 11 from beyond the three-point line. Andrew Huntley had 12 points, five rebounds and a block. Cedric Dent had 11 points, a career-high 10 assists and six rebounds. Huntley and Dent both were 5 of 9 from the floor.

Dre Rutledge had 14 points and 10 rebounds off the bench, shooting 7 of 12 from the field.

Mountain View's Anthony Cook had 20 points, four rebounds, three steals and a block. He was 7 of 13 from the floor, including 4 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Kaden Richardson hit 7 of 14 field goals for 16 points.

The Thunderducks knocked down 40 of 75 field goals for 53.3 percent. They were 12 of 13 from the free throw line. Mountain View (6-21, 1-12) shot 38.7 percent from the floor, going 24 of 62. The Lions were 6 for 11 at the free throw line.

Richland outrebounded Mountain View 43-25.

The Thunderducks play at No. 7 Dallas College Eastfield (18-8, 10-3) at 6 p.m. Wednesday before hosting No. 6 Dallas College North Lake (17-10, 9-4) to finish the regular season 1 p.m. Saturday.

Richland will host the NJCAA Division III South Central District Tournament semifinals and championship Friday, Feb. 27 and Saturday, Feb. 28.