PJC men lose NJCAA opener

From Staff Reports

March 19, 2008 - HUTCHINSON, Kan. - The Paris Junior College Dragons opened up the NJCAA Division I National Basketball Tournament with a 63-57 loss to the Southeastern Illinois Falcons Tuesday at the Hutchinson Sports Arena.

Paris held a 29-27 lead at the half, but Southeastern Illinois outscored the Dragons 36-28 in the second half to take the come-from-behind win.

Eric Tramiel led the Dragons with 15 points, six rebounds and three steals, while teammates DeCarlos Riley and Charles Funches scored 12 points each.

The Dragons shot 15-of-36 (42 percent) from the field, compared to 20-of-46 (43 percent) for the Falcons.

The Dragons were scheduled to face Vincennes University at 3 p.m. today in the consolation round. With a win, Paris will play the winner of the Eastern Wyoming-Walters State matchup at 11 a.m. Friday.