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Posted: Mar 17, 2025

Olive-Harvey claims first Region 4, North Central District championships

(Image courtesy of Olive-Harvey College Athletics)
(Image courtesy of Olive-Harvey College Athletics)

RIVER GROVE, ILL. - History was made Saturday as Olive-Harvey College defeated host Triton College by a 70-62 final to claim their first Region 4 Divison I Women's Basketball Tournament championship. Panthers coach Jeff Dillard was named the Region 4 Coach of the Year. (Recap: Olive-Harvey)

Olive-Harvey College opened the postseason with a resounding 88-37 win over #8-seeded Wilbur Wright College in the quarterfinals, and then dismantled #4-seed Kennedy-King College in the semifinals by a 70-44 score. Second-seeded Triton College made its way to the final with wins of 81-29 against #7-seed Truman College and 72-49 against defending region champion and #3-seeded Malcolm X College. 

In the championship, the Trojans held a narrow 14-13 lead after the first quarter and then grew their advantage to 32-25 at halftime. Olive-Harvey College turned the momentum in the second half as they narrowed the deficit to one going into the fourth quarter before pulling away throughout the final ten minutes. The Panthers outscored Triton College by a 45-30 margin in the second half.

Nakia Bardney led the way with 22 points, while Khaniah Gardner posted a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. The Panthers attempted 42 free throws in the game and made 24. 

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Olive-Harvey College, which won 28 straight games to start the season before suffering their only loss in their penultimate game of the regular season, moved on to the NJCAA North Central District Championship. The Panthers took on North Dakota State College of Science (24-8) in Wahpeton, North Dakota, on Saturday, March 15, and came away with an 88-70 victory. (Recap: Olive-Harvey)

Olive-Harvey College jumped out to an early 21-13 lead after the ten minutes, and improved the advantage to 44-33 at halftime. The high-scoring Panthers won the third quarter by nine and held a 66-46 differential before cruising to the win. Nakia Bardney dominated the game with 35 points and 12 rebounds. Khadijah Phillips added 23 points, and Cashay Dixon finished with 16 points. Khaniah Gardner contributed eight points and 15 rebounds. The Panthers were 32 for 39 at the free throw line.

Olive-Harvey College will take a 33-1 record to their first-ever NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championships in Casper, Wyoming, from March 25-April 1. The Panthers were awarded the #23-seed in the 24-team tournament and will begin play with a first round game against #10-seed Eastern Arizona College (25-6) on Wednesday, March 26 at 1:15pm CT. The winner advances to play #7-seed McLennan Community College (28-3). 

 

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