John Wood to Play for NJCAA National Championship

The John Wood Community College Trailblazers are one game away from their first national championship.

The Blazers beat fourth-seeded Des Moines Area Community College 72-61 Friday night in the NJCAA Division II National Tournament in Danville, IL.

It was a come from behind effort for John Wood, trailing by four at halftime before outscoring DMACC 44-29 in the second half.

It was the Blazers third straight win over one of the top eight seeds in the tournament.

Paxton Harmon led John Wood with 23 points, followed by Jordan Johnson with 20 and Brody Gronewold with 17.

The win runs JWCC's record to 24-11. They will face the tourney's third seed, Richard Bland College (31-4) for the national championship at 7:30 p.m. Saturday.