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Johnson County falls in consolation final to Florida State at Jacksonville 94-68

JCCC men's basketball player Steven Samuels shoots from 3-point range.
JCCC men's basketball player Steven Samuels shoots from 3-point range.

DANVILLE, Ill. – Florida State at Jacksonville used an 8-0 run early to start the game on their way to a 34-5 start to hand No. 11 seed Johnson County a 94-68 loss in the consolation final at the NJCAA Division II Tournament at Mary Miller Gymnasium in Danville, Ill., Saturday afternoon.

Johnson County ends the 2024-25 season at 31-6, tying the most wins in program history. The Manta Rays 32-5.

Sophomore guard Steven Samuels was the game's top score with 20 points. He shot 7-for-20 with three beyond the 3-point line and was 3-for-3 at the free throw line. He also had four steals, two rebounds and two assists. Samuels, who was selected to the all-tournament team, averaged 21.3 points over the four games in the tournament and his 85 total points set a new team record.

Sophomore forward Brandon Mann followed with 19 points on 9-of-14 shooting. He also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds.

Sophomore forward Traeger Rader knocked down 3-of-4 shots from 3-point ranged for nine points and freshman guard Gavin Harvey and freshman forward Tavian Cruse each scored eight points.

Florida State at Jacksonville had four players post double digit scoring, led by Aiden Fletcher with 17 off the bench. He was followed by Jordan Smith with 14, Eddie Mitchell with 13 and Alex McRay with 12.