Minneapolis Community and Technical College, the nation's No. 5 ranked team in Division III of the NJCAA, defeated Central Lakes College in overtime, 69-63, Saturday, Feb. 27 to advance to the championship game in the Minnesota College Athletic Conference tournament. MCTC led at halftime 35-19. While CLC experienced a low-shooting percentage, MCTC drained eight 3-pointers in the first half. The beginning of the second half went back and forth. With eight minutes remaining, CLC trimmed the lead to 12, continued to cut the lead further, and tied the game with 30 seconds left in regulation time. MCTC missed a winning shot with 5 seconds remaining. In overtime, the last tie was 63-63. At that point, MCTC made six free throws in the last 90 seconds to win the game. MCTC took a 24-5 record into the finals against Rochester on Sunday. Rochester defeated Northland, 77-73, to advance to the championship. The winner of the Minneapolis-Rochester game goes to the national tournament in New York. CLC ends its season with a 23-6 record.
