Hutchinson ? It took three games for Chipola (Fla.) College coach Greg Heiar to get “the real Chipola team” to show up for the NJCAA Men’s National Basketball Championship.

The Indians of Chipola played like the top team they were thought to be heading into the tournament and as a result ran away with a 72-53 victory over Itawamba (Miss.) Community College on Friday at Hutchinson Sports Arena.

“I told them in the locker room, ‘I want to see the real Indians today,'” Heiar said. “I’ve been telling you guys (media) for two days that this isn’t my team, and for the first 30 minutes today, that was our team.”

Kansas University recruit Mario Little made the most of the few minutes he played.

The KU signee was the second leading scorer for Chipola, with 13 points.

Little finished with seven rebounds, four assists, three steals and three blocks – all in just 20 foul-plagued minutes.

Chipola will play in the seventh-place game at noon today against Paris (Texas) Junior College.