HUTCHINSON, Kan. – From the halcyon days of Bob McAdoo – “’Do can do” – to other future NBA standouts such as Rickey Green, Foots Walker, Shawn Marion and Carl Landry to coaching legends such as Allen Bradfield and Dan Sparks, count the current Vincennes University Trailblazers and coach Todd Franklin among the greats in the program’s storied history.

Third-seeded Vincennes defeated No. 8 seed Ranger (Texas) 87-77 on Saturday to capture the Blazers’ fourth NJCAA men’s basketball championship - their first since 1972. Freshman forward Kevin Osawe scored 22 points and had 10 rebounds in earning Tournament Most Valuable Player honors. Sophomore guard Keith Clemons contributed 17 points and seven assists.

It’s been a remarkable journey for VU, which surged to a 50-34 halftime lead and withstood Ranger’s second-half comeback. Ranked No. 2 in the final national poll, the Blazers were bounced by Kaskaskia 78-76 in the semifinals of the District 16 tourney at Ina, Illinois, but earned an at-large bid to the NJCAA tourney at Hutch.

Michael Rogers II, a 6-foot-4 freshman guard from Harrison High School, was a reserve for Vincennes, which improved to 34-2. The Blazers, who also won NJCAA championships in 1965, 1970 and ’72, finished second in ’86. Ranger ended 31-4.

VU ousted defending national champion South Plains (Texas) Friday in the semis to advance the title game. The Blazers eliminated three successive Texas teams in three consecutive days to win the title. Franklin, named to the NJCAA Hall of Fame last year, recorded his 600th career victory in a 72-60 decision over Odessa Thursday in the quarterfinals.

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