NCCAA FINAL FOUR PLUS OTHER TOURNAMENT ACTION

* NCCAA DIVISION ONE *

FINAL FOUR – GAME ONE – This first semifinal pitted the 4 seeds – the COLORADO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY COUGARS – against the top seeded LEE UNIVERSITY FLAMES. The Cougars showed the Flames that they came to win, and took it to them on both sides of the ball. By Halftme Colorado Christian University had compiled a 43-26 lead over Lee University. In the 2nd Half the Cougars successfully kept the Flames from making much headway against their point deficit and bounced them by a score of 88-74. Michael Brown led CCU in this upset with 26 points and 8 rebounds.  

FINAL FOUR – GAME TWO – The second semifinal in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) saw yet another of the top seeds go down! The 6th seeded DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS took the court against the 2 seeds – the EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS. This game was a masterpiece of defensive basketball. By the break the score stood at just 28-25 with the Lions on top but in the Patriots regrouped in the locker room and mounted a comeback. In the end Dallas Baptist University moved on to the National Championship Game against Colorado Christian by a score of 57-51. It was a true team effort for the Patriots, with eight players scoring but none reaching double digits in this defensive clinic.   

* NAIA DIVISION ONE *

ROUND ONE – GAME NINE – This first game of the second day of Round One pitted the 7 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE BEARS – against the (BD) BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. The Bears led the game from start to finish but the Wildcats were often breathing down their necks. By the break the University of Pikeville led Bethel 41-35 on their way to a 94-86 victory. Macari Brooks tossed in 21 points for the Bears. 

ROUND ONE – GAME TEN – Next the 10th seeded CONCORDIA (CA) EAGLES (I say they should change it to the Condors) did battle with the (BD) OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS. The Eagles were all over the hapless Stars from the very beginning in this hardcourt clash. By Halftime Concordia led Oklahoma City University by a score of 48-28. In the 2nd Half the Eagles coasted, keeping the Stars far enough behind them for a 74-62 final score. Matt Scott led Concordia with his 18 points. 

ROUND ONE – GAME ELEVEN – In this roundball rumble the (BD) OUR LADY OF THE LAKE UNIVERSITY SAINTS faced the 15th seeded COLUMBIA (MO) COUGARS. The Saints provided the first upset of Day Two, but trailed the Cougars 32-31 at the Half. After the break Our Lady of the Lake University made their move, overtaking Columbia and then some to win the game by a final score of 74-68. De’Quentin Greer’s 24 points led the Saints.

ROUND ONE – GAME TWELVE – The 2 seeds – the TALLADEGA COLLEGE TORNADOES – squared off against the (BD) ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS in this game. The Tornadoes made the Battlin’ Bears chase them for most of the game and held a 33-23 Halftime lead enroute to a 74-63 triumph. Shondel Stewart of Talladega College recorded a Double Double with his 17 points and 10 rebounds. 

ROUND ONE – GAME THIRTEEN – This contest was between the 13th seeded MIDAMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS and the (BD) XAVIER (LA) GOLD RUSH. The Evangels made a great impression in their very first appearance in the NAIA National Tournament. By the midpoint of the game MidAmerica Christian University had seized a 38-28 advantage over Xavier and parlayed that into a win by the score of 84-70. Jerrick Massenburge’s 17 points led the way for the Evangels.  

ROUND ONE – GAME FOURTEEN – Time for another upset, this one in Overtime as the (BD) MISSOURI VALLEY COLLEGE VIKINGS toppled the 4 seeds – the FREED HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS. The Vikings made themselves known with a 37-33 Halftime edge over the Lions but Freed-Hardeman tied things up at 63-63 to force Overtime. In the extra session Missouri Valley College emerged with a 71-69 victory. Raviel Burton of the Vikings notched a Double Double of 20 points and 14 rebounds.

ROUND ONE – GAME FIFTEEN – This was a brouhaha between the 5th seeded CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TIGERS and the (BD) LSU-SHREVEPORT PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Tigers got almost more than they could handle from the always- game Pilots. A tight Halftime lead of 38-36 for Campbellsville University slowly became an 88-80 win. Two Tigers had Double Doubles – Damontre Harris with 20 points and 11 rebounds – and Eric Gaines with 18 points and 11 rebounds. 

ROUND ONE – GAME SIXTEEN – The final game of Round One pitted the (BD) WESTMONT COLLEGE WARRIORS against the 12 seeds – the LEWIS-CLARK STATE WARRIORS. This case of Warrior on Warrior violence resulted in another upset. Westmont College took a commanding 37-27 lead to end the 1st Half then built upon that in the 2nd Half for a 77-60 victory. Cory Blau and Sean Harman led the victors with 12 points each.