Men's basketball finishes 6th nationally

HERKIMER, N.Y. - And just like that, the 2025-26 men's basketball season has to come a close.

Joliet Junior College finishes the year ranked sixth nationally following Saturday's 70-66 loss to No. 2 Riverland Community College in the fifth place game of the NJCAA Division III National Tournament in Herkimer, N.Y. 

The Wolves trailed by as much as 16 points in the game, but battled back to make the final closer. Head coach Danny Turner said the Wolves missed a few opportunities to take the lead down the stretch.

Sophomore Levi Goad was a bright spot for the JJC offense, scoring 24 points while recording a pair of assists and two rebounds. Fellow sophomore Jeffrey Fleming recorded a double-double with 19 points and 13 rebounds. Jyaveion Green rounded out the Wolves' scoring leaders with 10 points.

The Wolves shot just 35.7% on the day, going 25-for-70. They were 5-for-18 from behind the arc and 11-for-15 from the free throw line. 

To reach a sixth placed finish, the Wolves battled four ranked teams in the final NJCAA Division III national poll. Turner acknowledged the ups and downs of the season after the game.

"We went through adversity earlier during the season, but it made us tough," he said. "The greatest satisfaction that I received is the mere growth of every single team member, including myself as head coach."