SOMETIMES THE GAME EXCEEDS THE HYPE – Yesterday’s nearly sole clash between ranked teams in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics ) exceeded all the hype surrounding the game going in. The number 5 GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS (logo at left) traveled to face the 20th- ranked SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS and emerged with an 89-87 victory in an undeniable Instant Classic. The Lancers trailed 49-44 at halftime but regrouped in the 2nd half to come out on top in this game for the ages.
NUMBER TWO TAKES A FALL – In NCAA D3 action, the 2nd- ranked MIDDLEBURY PANTHERS were upset on the road by the number 6 AMHERST LORD JEFFS. The final score in this overtime Battle Royal was 77-75.
TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA-1 – The 5th- ranked OUR LADY OF THE LAKE SAINTS fell to the SOUTHWEST ASSEMBLIES OF GOD LIONS in a 106-80 shocker … The number 8 GEORGETOWN (KY) TIGERS were toppled on the road by the SHAWNEE STATE BEARS in a 63-59 game that thrilled the Shawnee State Homecoming crowd … The 9th- ranked WESTMONT WARRIORS fell to the unranked HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS by a score of 77-70 … The MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS (love that name) upset the number 13 MSUN LIGHTS 63-55 … At 22, the defending champs, the PIKEVILLE BEARS lost on the road to the ST CATHARINE PATRIOTS in a 90-85 Instant Classic … The unranked VANGUARD LIONS brought down the 25th- ranked MASTER’S MUSTANGS 69-68 … The XAVIER (LA) GOLD RUSH were tied for 25th and they also lost on the road – in their case in an 84-64 smackdown by the TALLADEGA TORNADOES.
TOP 25 UPSETS – NAIA-2 – The 2nd division of NAIA basketball wasn’t as busy upset-wise. Believe it or not only one ranked team got taken down in yesterday’s action. The 16th- ranked BRIAR CLIFF CHARGERS fell on the road to the MORNINGSIDE MUSTANGS in overtime 97-89
TOP 25 UPSETS – NCAA Division 3 – In addition to Middlebury falling, the 4th-ranked WHITEWATER WARHAWKS were upset by the SUPERIOR LAKERS in a 60-58 epic … At unlucky 13 the WOOSTER SCOTS lost on the road to the 22nd- ranked WITTENBERG TIGERS by a score of 68-62 in overtime and the unranked WESTERN CONNECTICUT COLONIALS broke the century mark in a 108-105 overtime victory over the number 21 KEENE STATE OWLS.
OTHER TOP 25 RESULTS – NAIA-1
The Top-Ranked ROBERT MORRIS (IL) EAGLES bounced back from their upset loss the other night to the CALUMET COLLEGE CRIMSON WAVE by logging a road win over the SOUTH BEND TITANS 84-70 … (4) SOUTHERN POLYTECHNIC RUNNING HORNETS over the SOUTHERN WESLEYAN WARRIORS 76-60 … (6) ROGERS STATE HILLCATS defeated the OKLAHOMA CHRISTIAN EAGLES in a 77-74 Instant Classic … (7) MARTIN METHODIST RED HAWKS over the LYON SCOTS 83-70 … (12) LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS crushed the RIO GRANDE (OH) RED STORM 86-52 … (20) MNU PIONEERS over the BENEDICTINE RAVENS 68-63 … (23) SOUTHERN NAZARENE CRIMSON STORM won an Instant Classic over the ST GREGORY CAVALIERS 69-67 and (24) MONTANA- WESTERN BULLDOGS defeated the GREAT FALLS ARGONAUTS by a score of 66-63.
OTHER TOP 25 RESULTS – NAIA-2 – (2) OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS over the (10) NORTHWEST (WA) EAGLES 95-69 … (3) DAVENPORT PANTHERS defeated the UNIVERSITY OF NW OHIO RACERS 79-60 … (4) DORDT COLLEGE DEFENDERS over the CONCORDIA (NE) BULLDOGS 85-68 … (6) MCPHERSON BULLDOGS defeated the KANSAS WESLEYAN COYOTES 90-72 … (7) CARDINAL STRITCH WOLVES won comfortably over the HOLY CROSS (IN) SAINTS 87-56 … (13) ST THOMAS (FL) BOBCATS defeated the WEBBER INTERNATIONAL WARRIORS 61-58 … (14) NORTHWESTERN (IA) RED RAIDERS over the DOANE TIGERS 92-69 … (15) INDIANA WESLEYAN WILDCATS defeated the BETHEL (IN) PILOTS 94-87 … (19) INDIANA UNIVERSITY- SOUTHEAST GRENADIERS (love that name) dismembered the ALICE LLOYD EAGLES 110-76 at Homecoming … (22) ST MARY SPIRES ruined Senior Night for the BETHANY SWEDES with an 89-70 victory and the (24) MARIAN KNIGHTS took down the MT VERNON NAZARENE COUGARS by a score of 73-56.
Balladeer's Blog 
Kudos to the SAGU Lions!
Yep, it was quite a coup!
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Thanks for the pingback!!!!
The MCC has been crazy this year. With IWU’s loss to cross town rival Taylor, it looks like Grace is finally in the drivers seat to win the regular season title. If they can win the last game.
I’m looking forward to the conference tournament to decide things.
It’s hard to believe those tournaments are nearly here for the NAIA! In fact, in some of the divisions I cover the conference tournaments begin tomorrow! Good luck to the Lancers the rest of the way!
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