COLLEGE BASKETBALL CONFERENCE TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE IN THE NAIA

CROSSROADS LEAGUE – The upset of the evening last night came when the 8th seeded HUNTINGTON COLLEGE FORESTERS stunned the 1 seeds, the INDIANA WESLEYAN WILDCATS, by a score of 81-69. The Foresters faithful will be talking about this game for years to come!   ###   In the 7 spot the MARIAN KNIGHTS, the reigning NAIA football champions, likewise shocked the prognosticators by taking down the 2nd seeded GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS  62-54.   ###   The (3) BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (as in riverboat pilots) performed as expected, defeating the (6) ST FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS in an 89-73 affair.   ###   … And in the typically tight 5 vs 4 matchup the (5) TAYLOR TROJANS beat the (4) SPRING ARBOR COUGARS in a 70-62 upset.

CALIFORNIA PACIFIC CONFERENCE – In the opening round of the CPC tournament the 4th seeded MENLO COLLEGE OAKS let a healthy lead slip through their fingers, allowing the 5 seeds, the SIMPSON RED HAWKS, to force overtime. The Oaks emerged with a 111-103 victory in the extra session.   ###   … And the (3) UC- MERCED GOLDEN BOBCATS defeated the (6) PACIFIC UNION PIONEERS by a score of 73-54.   ###   The top 2 seeds had a bye in the first round, so on Friday the Golden Bobcats face the (2) CAL MARITIME ACADEMY  KEELHAULERS and the Oaks battle the (1) WILLIAM JESSUP WARRIORS.

CHICAGOLAND COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – The CCAC tournament resumed last night with the top 3 seeds at last taking the floor after their 1st round byes. The top seeded CARDINAL STRITCH WOLVES manhandled the 9 seeds, the TRINITY CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TROLLS in a 72-49 mauling.   ###   In the 2 spot the ST XAVIER COUGARS dispatched the 10th seeded HOLY CROSS SAINTS  95-84.   ###   At 3 the INDIANA- SOUTH BEND TITANS edged the 6th seeded PURDUE- CALUMET PEREGRINES in a nailbiting 58-55 defensive struggle.   ###   … And the (4) ST FRANCIS (IL) FIGHTING SAINTS took out the (5) OLIVET NAZARENE TIGERS in a thrilling 86-77 affair.

CASCADE COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE – At number 1 the WARNER PACIFIC COLLEGE KNIGHTS had their hands full with the 8th seeded CORBAN WARRIORS but managed a 65-60 win to advance to Saturday’s semifinals.   ###   The 2nd seeded EASTERN OREGON MOUNTAINEERS had an even closer call against the 7 seeds, the OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS, but sent them home with a 77-75 loss.   ###   The (3) SOUTHERN OREGON RAIDERS notched a Century Club worthy 100 points to the 88 scored by the (6) CONCORDIA CAVALIERS.   ###   … And in a 5 seed over 4 seed upset the NORTHWEST EAGLES eked out a 69-67 victory over the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES.

MIDWEST COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE – The upset of the night in this conference tournament saw the 6th seeded ST AMBROSE UNIVERSITY FIGHTING BEES win an 83-81 game for the ages against the 3rd seeded CLARKE CRUSADERS.   ###   The (4) VITERBO V-HAWKS suffered a 76-72 upset loss to the (5) GRAND VIEW VIKINGS. Grand View will face the top-seeded WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN in the semifinals Friday night.   ###   .. And in the 2 spot the MOUNT MERCY MUSTANGS took care of business in convincing fashion against the 7 seeds, the AIB COLLEGE OF BUSINESS EAGLES, by a score of 95-53.