In the opening round of the Region IV tournament on Feb. 27, the College of DuPage hosted the Black Hawk College Braves. The Chaparrals played from behind all game and couldn’t pull off any late game heroics, leading to an untimely first round elimination. With a 10-point difference, the game ended the Chaps’ season and chances at a national title.

The first and only meeting this season between the Braves and Chaparrals ended in a Black Hawk College win, beating COD 72-77 on Nov. 14, 2024. The Braves finished the game with an 18-13 record and ended on an 8-game winning streak; they have beaten their opponents by 17 points on average in their last 8 games. For DuPage, they finished with a 21-9 record and ended on a 3-game win streak after defeating Madison College (88-56, 77-69) twice and Harper College (81-68) once. 

Ivan Vukusic won the tip for Black Hawk College; the Braves opened the scoring right away from a Dion Doyle midrange from the corner. COD’s Adyn McGinley came right back with a three with a defender in his face to grab an early lead (3-2). Vukusic made a three on one of the next possessions to regain the lead (3-5). Charles Farrell clapped back with three of his own for COD (6-5). The Braves went on a 5-0 run to put themselves up five (6-10). After, the Chaps went on a 5-0 run of themselves, all from Braylen Meredith (11-10). 

The Braves’ quick ball movement and off-ball screens broke down COD’s defense, giving them a 11-19 lead with 12:00 in the first half. COD called a timeout. Right out of the timeout, Ramone Enis banged a three to get within five. Meredith grabbed a tipped ball and went coast to coast to a contested layup (16-19). Head coach Joe Kuhn commented on the Braves’ performance, saying that their drive was just a little bit bigger than the Chaps.

“I like how we competed and fought; they were just a little bit bigger and tougher than us, and that was the difference,” said Kuhn. “They guarded us really well; we took too many perimeter shots, and they were better on the glass.”

DuPage was down 19-28 with 6:01 left in the half, but after eight straight points from three balls, DuPage was only down three (27-30). Terence Spencer got COD within one after sinking both of his free throws (29-30). With the shot clock off, COD had an opportunity to cash in before halftime, but McGinley’s midrange push shot didn’t fall as the buzzer sounded (29-31). 

Out of the locker room after halftime, COD couldn’t find the basket on their first few possessions, but Greg Strong splashed a corner three to take the lid off for the Chaps (32-34). The Braves went on a 9-2 run that made COD spend a timeout (34-43). Out of the timeout, Spencer banked in a midrange with the shot clock expiring.

Farrell knocked in a corner three to put COD within four (41-45). Black Hawk College went on an 8-0 run to go up 12 with eight minutes in the game. After being fouled on his long three attempts, Strong made two of his three-point attempts at the line (43-53). The Braves scored five straight, and COD called another timeout (43-58). After being fouled on another three-pointer, Strong was sent to the line for three more free throws, of which he made two (45-60). With 5:19 left and down 15, DuPage had to lock in on both sides of the floor to have any chance of a comeback. 

With a three-pointer from Meredith and an easy layup from Strong, COD got back within 11 (51-62). Strong cashed in with a long three to make it a 10-point game. With 1:40 in the game, Farrell and Braves’ player Caeden Terrell received technical fouls. Meredith made a fadeaway three with 57 seconds left to make it a seven-point game (57-64). Terrell sank two free throws for the Braves to push the lead out of reach for the Chaparrals (57-66), ultimately ending the Chaps season with the buzzer sounding and the final score at 59-69.

“Everything happens for a reason; we’ve played together; we had a great season; it was a lot different from last season. Couldn’t pull it off today, and we’re going to keep looking forward for all of us” said Meredith. 

Kuhn described his team as “resilient,”

 “They were resilient all year. Overall, really good season, and I’m really thankful for them,” he said.