COLLEGE BASKETBALL: THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS CROWNED WHILE TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE IN OTHER DIVISIONS

*** ACCA ***

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The ARLINGTON BAPTIST COLLEGE PATRIOTS won their school’s first ever National Championship in the ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics). The Patriots led their familiar foes the RHEMA BIBLE COLLEGE EAGLES at Halftime by a score of 40-26 then continued to dominate all through the Second Half, cutting down the nets following their 85-67 victory. Jeremiah Ford led the Patriots with 26 points and 13 rebounds. Ford was also the ACCA National Tournament MVP. * CONGRATULATIONS TO THE PATRIOTS * 

*** USCAA DIV ONE ***

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Yesterday the 4th seeded WASHINGTON ADVENTIST UNIVERSITY SHOCK squared off against the 6th seeded TENNESSEE TEMPLE UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS for the 2014 title in Division One of the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). Sadly, after all the excellent basketball that led up to this championship bout the title clash was very, very disappointing. The Shock led the Crusaders by an odd score of 28-17 at Halftime and went on to win 61-38. * CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SHOCK. *

*** USCAA DIV TWO ***

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The USCAA’s Division Two Championship was decided by something that more closely resembled a competitive game. For the second year in a row Division Two’s battle for the crown featured a pair of Cinderellas. The 6th seeded ANDREWS UNIVERSITY CARDINALS held a 37-26 lead at the break over the 8 seeds, the PSU-BEAVER NITTANY LIONS and when all was said and done won the game by a final score of 73-59. Junior Orelus led his team to the title with his 19 points. * CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CARDINALS *   

*** NAIA ***

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 8th seeded OKLAHOMA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY BISON completed their Cinderella run through the SAC Conference Tournament by taking the title with a heart-pounding 70-69 upset of the 2nd seeded WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS. That Instant Classic was the perfect ending for the underdogs. In previous rounds the Bison had eliminated Texas Wesleyan, MidAmerica Christian and top-seeded Southwestern Assemblies of God. * The Bison move on to the NAIA Basketball National Tournament as the SAC Tournament Champions. The SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS, as the SAC’s regular season champs, get the conference’s other bid to the national tourney. 

RED RIVER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS pulled off an upset win of their own in a 56-52 defensive grudge match with the 2 seeds, the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT THOMAS (TX) CELTS. * The Wildcats advance to the NAIA Basketball National Tournament as the RRAC Tournament Champions. The LSU-SHREVEPORT PILOTS (riverboat pilots) as the regular season champs, get the conference’s other bid to the national tourney. 

SOUTHERN STATES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The (1West) WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS did battle with the (1East) EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS for the SSAC crown. The score was 85-73 in a very anticlimactic game. As the regular season champions of their respective divisions of the Southern States Athletic Conference both teams already knew they would move on to the national tourney no matter what happened in this game. * The Crusaders and Lions advance to the NAIA Basketball National Tournament. 

AMERICAN MIDWEST CONFERENCE – SEMIFINALS – The top seeded COLUMBIA (MO) COUGARS barely survived a 66-65 game for the ages against the 4th seeded PARK UNIVERSITY PIRATES.   ###   And in the other semifinal for the AMC the 2nd seeded FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS entered the Century Club for the day with their stupendous 118-86 blowout of the 6th seeded BENEDICTINE- SPRINGFIELD BULLDOGS.  

GOLDEN STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – SEMIFINALS – The top seeds, the VANGUARD UNIVERSITY LIONS, bounced the 5th seeded WESTMONT COLLEGE WARRIORS by a final score of 80-70.   ###   And in the 3 spot the HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS withstood a potentially deadly 61-56 game with the 7th seeded MASTER’S COLLEGE MUSTANGS. It will be the Lions vs the Royals for the conference championship. 

GULF COAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – SEMIFINALS – The 2nd seeded TALLADEGA COLLEGE TORNADOES dispatched the 3 seeds, the EDWARD WATERS COLLEGE TIGERS 76-62.   ###   And the PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE PANTHERS came in as the 4 seeds but in an epic-length DOUBLE OVERTIME clash they upended the top seeded XAVIER (LA) GOLD RUSH by a final score of 125-114. 

MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE – SEMIFINALS – “A Bad Day for Patriots” could have been the chapter title for yesterday’s MSC Semifinals. The top seeded UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE BEARS ended the season for the 4th seeded SAINT CATHARINE COLLEGE PATRIOTS in an entertaining 78-69 game.   ###   And the 2nd seeded GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS, the defending National Champions of NAIA Division One basketball, bounced the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS in Overtime by a final score of 76-69.  

ASSOCIATION OF INDEPENDENT INSTITUTIONS – SEMIFINALS – In the top spot the CAL STATE- SAN MARCOS COUGARS took down the 4th seeded WEST VIRGINIA TECH GOLDEN BEARS in a 77-70 thriller.   ###   And in the AAI’s other semifinal the 3rd seeded RUNNING EAGLES out of LIFE UNIVERSITY (not affiliated with The School of Hard Knocks) rose up and dragged down the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF LINDENWOOD AT BELLEVILLE LYNX 99-85.  

*** NJCAA ***

DISTRICT 202- CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The DEAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS came into this district clash as the champions of Region 221. The MONROE (Rochester) TRIBUNES came in as the champions of Region 203. The Bulldogs wound up with the win by a final score of 99-89. * The Bulldogs advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 203 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this district’s title game the CARL SANDBURG COLLEGE CHARGERS took on the OLIVE-HARVEY COLLEGE PANTHERS. The Chargers managed the upset, handing the Panthers a 73-69 loss in a very exciting back and forth affair. * The Chargers advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.  

DISTRICT 204 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The Spartan Events Center in Elgin, IL was alive yesterday with the District title tilt. The SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS did their bit to keep some of the favorites winning. The Bulldogs bounced the TRITON COLLEGE TROJANS by a score of 93-75. * The Bulldogs advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.  

DISTRICT 205 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The FORT SCOTT COLLEGE GREYHOUNDS pulled off an upset and are the 2014 Region 206 Champions! The Greyhounds took the crown yesterday with their tense, edge of your seat 68-66 triumph over the perennially hard-fighting BROWN MACKIE COLLEGE LIONS! * The Greyhounds advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament. 

DISTRICT 206 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The WAKE TECH EAGLES and the LOUISBURG COLLEGE HURRICANES met in hardcourt combat for the District 206 crown. The two teams dueled through Regulation with no victor decided but after the Overtime period the Eagles had carved out an 85-82 win for themselves. * The Eagles advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 208 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The title bout between the DES MOINES AREA COLLEGE BEARS and the IOWA LAKES COLLEGE LAKERS was one that the spectators will be discussing for years! The Bears won this textbook roundball war by a final score of 71-69. * The Bears advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 209 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This particular game found the LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE RED HAWKS taking on the LANSING COLLEGE STARS. The Red Hawks went on to win this championship game by an unlucky 13 points, 91-78. * The Red Hawks advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 210 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The WAYNE COUNTY COLLEGE WILDCATS are the 2014 basketball champions of District 210. The Wildcats played the OAKLAND COLLEGE RAIDERS for the right to move on from this district. Wayne County College took the honors in a gripping 77-76 game for the ages. * The Wildcats advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.  

DISTRICT 211 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this region the CINCINATTI STATE SURGE battled the OWENS COLLEGE EXPRESS for the title. When all the dust had settled from this contest of cool-named teams the Surge walked off with the goods following a 79-78 Instant Classic. * The Surge advances to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament. 

DISTRICT 213 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – As we move along to this District’s championship matchup the SAINT LOUIS COLLEGE ARCHERS emerged with the goods. The Archers defeated the MID-SOUTH COLLEGE GREYHOUNDS by a score of 91-77. * The Archers advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.  

DISTRICT 101 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The MESA COLLEGE THUNDERBIRDS entered the Century Club and had a surprisingly easy time eliminating the ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE MATADORS. This non-competitive game wound up with a final score of Thunderbirds 108  Matadors 63. * The Thunderbirds advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.   

DISTRICT 102- CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Back to competitive games with this little honey. The NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN won a very engaging 91-85 game with the REDLANDS COLLEGE COUGARS. * The Golden Norsemen advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.   

DISTRICT 103 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The WESTCHESTER COLLEGE VIKINGS held a 12-point advantage over the BALTIMORE CITY COLLEGE PANTHERS when time expired. The Vikings won 82-70. * The Vikings advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 104 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The STATE FAIR COLLEGE ROADRUNNERS (Region 116 champs) and the HIGHLAND (IL) COLLEGE COUGARS (Region 104 champs) played for this district’s crown. The Roadrunners won handily 74-54. * The Roadrunners advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 105 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The HILL COLLEGE REBELS will be this district’s representative for 2014. The Rebels (whose logo combines the traditional Southern Rebel look with a kind of Guys and Dolls dapper gangster vibe) defeated the NEW MEXICO COLLEGE THUNDERBIRDS by a final score of 79-66. * The Rebels advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 106 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The PRATT COLLEGE BEAVERS ended the magnificent run of the HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS. The Beavers pulled off the upset of the Blue Dragons in a 77-69 affair. * The Beavers advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament. 

DISTRICT 107 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – And speaking of upsets, the WALTERS STATE SENATORS put together one of their own yesterday. The Senators rose up and eliminated the COLUMBIA STATE CHARGERS in a tense 81-79 game for the ages. * The Senators advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 108 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The CHIPOLA COLLEGE INDIANS took home the District 108 title after their victory over the SAINT PETERSBURG COLLEGE TITANS yesterday. The spectators got a real treat and the final score in this close and entertaining game was 79-73. * The Indians advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 110 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The CAPE FEAR COLLEGE SEA DEVILS didn’t let the underdog label bother them. They just stuck to their game and wound up defeating the heavily favored BRUNSWICK COLLEGE DOLPHINS 99-89. * The Sea Devils advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 112 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – From Tom Drake Colliseum came the District 112 Championship Game. The WALLACE STATE- HANCEVILLE LIONS took on the SHELTON STATE BUCCANEERS with the Lions winning out by a final score of 77-67. * The Lions advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 113 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The favored SOUTH GEORGIA TECH JETS faced the CENTRAL GEORGIA TECH TITANS in this game. The Jets soared past the Titans in an 83-74 outcome. * The Jets advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.  

DISTRICT 114 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Both the PARIS (TX) COLLEGE DRAGONS and the TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS were playing in their 33rd game of the season yesterday. The Dragons finished with an 11 point margin of victory over the Cardinals in a 74-63 battle. * The Dragons advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 115 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The JONES COUNTY COLLEGE BOBCATS and the Cinderella PEARL RIVER COLLEGE WILDCATS were involved in a – well, a catfight – for the Distict title. The Bobcats decided to ring in Midnight for the Wildcats and dispatched them by a score of 80-67. * The Bobcats advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament.

DISTRICT 116 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this district’s battle for the crown the VINCENNES UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS faced an even bigger Cinderella team in the OLNEY COLLEGE BLUE KNIGHTS. The Trailblazers performed as expected and bounced the Blue Knights in an authoritative 80-66 game. * The Trailblazers advance to the NJCAA Basketball National Tournament. 

*** CCCAA ***

SO-CAL REGION – SEMIFINALS – The 4th seeded CHAFFEY COLLEGE PANTHERS won a 68-66 nailbiter against the 8 seeds – the CERRITOS COLLEGE FALCONS.   ###   And the 2nd seeded SAN BERNARDINO VALLEY COLLEGE WOLVERINES vanquished the 3rd seeded MT SAN JACINTO COLLEGE EAGLES by a more comfortable margin of 91-80. * The Panthers and the Wolverines are the two So-Cal representatives in the CCCAA Final Four.  

NOR-CAL REGION – SEMIFINALS – The 4 seeds – the CHABOT COLLEGE GLADIATORS – upset the top seeded CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO RAMS in a Century Club- level 101-94 performance.   ###   And the 3rd seeded SANTA ROSA COLLEGE BEAR CUBS overthrew the 2nd seeded FRESNO CITY COLLEGE RAMS by a final score of 83-72. * The Gladiators and the Bear Cubs are the two Nor-Cal representatives in the CCCAA Final Four.