Commodores into the Final Four

Commodores into the Final Four
Box Score
March 25, 2026
Hutchinson, KS- The #14 Gulf Coast State Commodores advanced to the Final Four of the 2026 NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship with a 99-91 overtime win over the #11 Northwest Florida State Raiders.
 
The Commodores and Raiders battled from start to finish in a tight, physical game that needed extra time to decide a winner.  Gulf Coast State came out strong early, setting the tone on both ends of the floor. They moved the ball well and found good looks, while also applying pressure on defense. In the first half, Gulf Coast State was led by Trent Lincoln and Devontes Cobbs, who each scored nine points. Jabari Quarterman added seven points, while Aiden Caulker and Alpha Barry each chipped in six. Lincoln also dished out five assists in the half, helping the Commodores stay organized on offense.
 
Northwest Florida kept pace in the opening half behind a balanced effort, with one player scoring 10 points and another adding eight. The Raiders also had a player finish with six points and three assists, while another added five points and four rebounds to keep the game close at halftime.
 
The second half turned into a back-and-forth battle. Gulf Coast continued to find production across the lineup, led by Lincoln with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting. Quarterman added 13 points, while Caulker chipped in seven points. Iyran Francis added four points and four rebounds, including three on the offensive glass. Traevon Koch provided a spark off the bench with eight points. Lincoln and Cobbs combined for six assists in the half to keep the offense flowing.
 
Northwest Florida also had a strong second half, led by DJ Shine who scored 16 points and went 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Damarion Vann-Kelly and Hassan Dorman each added 10 points, while Justin Burns finished with nine points and seven rebounds. The Raiders' strong play helped force overtime.
 
In overtime, the Commodores took control. Gulf Coast outscored Northwest Florida 14-6 in the extra period, shooting 66.7 percent from the field. Lincoln knocked down a key three-pointer and finished with five points in overtime, while Quarterman added six points and an assist. Alpha Barry chipped in two points, and Cobbs added a free throw while contributing on the defensive end. The Commodores also made key stops, holding the Raiders to just two field goals in overtime.  Gulf Coast shot 47.9 percent from the field overall and finished with 20 assists as a team.
 
Sophomore guard Trent Lincoln led the way for Gulf Coast with 28 points, eight assists, and three steals. Jabari Quarterman added 26 points and six rebounds, while Caulker finished with 13 points. Devontes Cobbs added 10 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals. Koch also chipped in 10 points, and Francis contributed on the glass and defensive end.
 
"So proud of our guys again. We have found ways to win tough games all year long and our guys answered the bell again. Credit to NWF on a great season. I thought our guys toughness was the difference tonight. The job isn't finished yet," said Head Coach Lane Below.
 
With the win, the Commodores move on to the semifinals of the NJCAA DI Men's Basketball Championship. Gulf Coast will face #2 College of Southern Idaho on Friday, March 27 at 8 pm.