COLLEGE BASKETBALL CONFERENCE AND REGIONAL TOURNAMENT RESULTS FROM MARCH 4TH

Later today the National Christian College Athletic Association begins its National Championship Tournament. Balladeer’s Blog will, of course, bring you coverage of all those games. Meanwhile let’s get caught up on the results of Conference and Regional Tournaments as of March 4th.

* NAIA *

MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE – The conference title tilt went into Overtime, but in the end the top seeds prevailed. The (1) LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS outlasted the 2nd seeded PIKEVILLE UNIVERSITY BEARS in a 77-73 game for the ages. Along the way to the MSC championship the Blue Raiders eliminated UVA- Wise and Campbellsville University, too. Next stop for Lindsey Wilson College: the NAIA’s Big Dance!

* NJCAA TOURNAMENTS *

REGION 9 – The NORTHWEST COLLEGE TRAPPERS won an 80-74 Instant Classic over the CASPER THUNDERBIRDS.   ###   The NORTHEASTERN COLLEGE PLAINSMEN bounced the LARAMIE GOLDEN EAGLES by a score of 87-67.   ###   The OTERO COLLEGE RATTLERS eked out a 58-56 defense- heavy win over the CENTRAL WYOMING RUSTLERS.   ###   And the GILLETTE COLLEGE PRONGHORNS fell to the NORTH PLATTE KNIGHTS  81-67.

REGION 15 – It was all defense in the Regional Championship Game. In the end the top- seeded ASA COLLEGE AVENGERS edged the 2nd seeded MONROE COLLEGE MUSTANGS by a score of 58-56. In addition to their triumph over the Mustangs the Avengers also took out the Westchester Spartans after having a bye in the 1st round.

REGION 16 – The upstart 4 seeds, the MOBERLY COLLEGE GREYHOUNDS, had a great run to the Regional Championship Game but were cut down by the top-seeded MINERAL AREA COLLEGE CARDINALS. The final score in this very memorable title game was 77-70. Congratulations to the MAC Cardinals!

REGION 203 – The MONROE COLLEGE (Rochester) TRIBUNES (how can you not love that name) are the Regional Champs from this tournament that was all chalk all the time. In the championship bout for the region the top seeded Tribunes defeated the 2 seeds, the ERIE COLLEGE KATS, by a final score of 98-89.

REGION 213 – This region’s  Championship Game was one of the tightest and most hard- fought of this postseason so far. The GOGEBIC COLLEGE SAMSONS won out over the UNITED TRIBES TECHNICAL COLLEGE THUNDERBIRDS. The final score in this unforgettable matchup was 62-61, Samsons.

REGION 215 – The HOWARD COLLEGE DRAGONS came into this tournament as the 3rd seed but scorched all their opponents enroute to this title game. The Dragons had a fight on their hands against the 10th seeded COLLEGE OF SOUTHERN MARYLAND HAWKS but emerged with an 88-83 victory. The Dragons will now move on to the NJCAA’s Big Dance!

REGION 303 – The top 2 seeds in this region fought their way to the championship game. In the end the 1 seeds, the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS, came out on top against the 2nd seeded SUNY-DELHI BRONCOS by an authoritative final score of 70-55. The Gernerals are now an amazing 30 and 3 for 2012 – 2013.

REGION 310 – This region’s 2 seeds, the SANDHILLS COLLEGE FLYERS, are also the defending national champions in NJCAA3 basketball. The Flyers faced the top seeded CALDWELL TECH COBRAS for the regional title. Sandhills pulled off the upset in a nailbiting 70-69 hardcourt masterpiece. The Flyers’ hopes of repeating as national champs remain alive for the time being!

REGION 315 – Another Generals team was featured in this regional championship game. The SULLIVAN COLLEGE GENERALS came in as the top seeds and lived up to that seeding by taking the tournament title. They bounced the Cinderella 6 seeds, the BRONX COLLEGE BRONCOS, in an 81-69 clash to advance to the Big Dance. Coincidentally enough THESE Generals are also 30-3 now!

REGION 320 – The 2nd seeded ANNE ARUNDEL COLLEGE PIONEERS took on the 4 seeds, the COLLEGE OF ALLEGHENY COUGARS, for this region’s championship. The Pioneers defeated the Cougars by a final score of 72-65 in a very entertaining and highly watchable contest.