Motlow State Community College players and coaches display their runner up trophy and plaque following the Tennessee Community College Athletic Association tournament last week in Gallatin. The Bucks advanced to the championship game with a 96-85 win over defending champion Columbia State, but lost the title game 73-68 to Southwest Tennessee. (Motlow State photo)
One of the best seasons in the 47-year history of Motlow State Community College men’s basketball came to a disappointing end Friday afternoon when the Bucks fell to Southwest Tennessee 73-68 in the championship game of the TCCAA/Region VII Tournament in Gallatin.
Under first-year head coach J.T. Burton, the Bucks (25-7) led 43-41 at halftime and 61-57 with nine minutes to play. However, late foul trouble and a difficult day shooting three pointers (2-15) allowed the Saluqis to escape with the victory and advance to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Tournament, which begins Mar. 14 in Hutchinson, Kan. Motlow hoped for one of four at-large invitations, but did not receive one.
Motlow advanced to Friday’s championship game with a 96-85 win over Columbia State on Thursday. That game saw Jaylen Barford score 45 points, tied for the fourth most in a single game in Motlow history. The Bucks opened the tournament with a narrow 77-75 win over Jackson State, with Barford connecting on a pair of free throws with 1.6 seconds left in the game.
Southwest Tennessee came out of the gates shooting lights out on Friday, hitting five of their first six three pointers and grabbing an early 10-point lead. The Bucks battled back, taking the lead at halftime, but with six minutes remaining the Saluqis took the lead back 63-62 and never trailed again.
Barford and JaQualis Matlock led Motlow with 17 points each, while Stephaun Adams scored 15. Matlock, a freshman who will be the centerpiece for the Bucks next year, added eight rebounds, two assists, two steals and a blocked shot. Adams, who will play at Tennessee Tech next year, had five rebounds and four assists.
Barford will take his talents to the University of Arkansas after completing his career as one of the top players in Motlow history. His 837 points are the second most in a single season, and his 1,393 career points are also second on the all-time list. He is only the second player in school history to finish in the top 10 in career scoring, rebounding, assists and steals.
He was named the TCCAA Player of the Year and chosen for the all-tournament team. He was an honorable mention All-American last year and likely a first-team honoree this year, in addition to being one of the top contenders for national player of the year. Barford has been rated the No. 1 junior college player in the nation by multiple recruiting and scouting services.
The Motlow men’s basketball program continues to establish itself among the best junior college programs in the nation. The Bucks have won over 20 games in six of the past nine seasons. The 48 combined wins during the past two season’s ties the 2001-02 teams for the second best back-to-back seasons in school history. Motlow won 50 games total during the 2008-09 seasons.
Visit the official website of Motlow Athletics at <www.motlowsports.com> for rosters, schedules, stats and more. Interact with Motlow Athletics at <Facebook/MotlowSports> and <Twitter@MotlowSports>.
