*** NAIA ***
SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – The 5th seeded UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND ARTS OF OKLAHOMA DROVERS set the tone for the night with an 82-67 takedown of the 4th seeded SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN EAGLES ### The 6 seeds – the WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS – kept the upsets going with their tight 75-71 win over the 3rd seeded OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS ### Chalk struck back as the 2nd seeded MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS defeated the 7th seeded SAGU LIONS 86-81 ### And the (1) TEXAS WESLEYAN RAMS bounced the (8) JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES 70-56.
SOUTHERN STATES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – QUARTERFINALS – Upset Night resumed as the (8) LOYOLA (New Orleans) UNIVERSITY WOLF PACK shocked the top seeded WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS, toppling them in an 80-78 Instant Classic ### The (6) AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY WARHAWKS (formerly the Senators) dragged down the (3) DALTON STATE ROADRUNNERS 73-66 ### Next the (5) FAULKNER EAGLES won an 80-69 upset over the (4) MARTIN METHODIST REDHAWKS ### But the (2) MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE KNIGHTS won their game against the (10) COLLEGE OF COASTAL GEORGIA MARINERS 97-74.
RED RIVER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – OPENING ROUND – The 4 seeds – the LSU-SHREVEPORT PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) – started off the action in this conference with a hard-fought 77-69 win over the 5th seeded WILEY COLLEGE WILDCATS ### And in the only other game in the RRAC last night the 3rd seeded OUR LADY OF THE LAKES UNIVERSITY SAINTS battled the 6 seeds – the TEXAS COLLEGE STEERS – and defeated them in a 54-50 defensive epic.
*** USCAA DIVISION TWO ***
FIRST SEMIFINAL – In the 2 spot the CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE SILVER KNIGHTS faced the 6th seeded JOHNSON & WALES (NC) WILDCATS in a genuine game for the ages. A 33-33 Halftime tie became a 70-70 tie to end Regulation. In Overtime the Silver Knights went on to win the game by a final score of 83-74, led by 22 points tossed in by John Starks, Jr.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – The top seeds – the BERKELEY (NY) COLLEGE KNIGHTS – competed with the 4th seeded WARREN WILSON UNIVERSITY OWLS for the right to advance to the title game. This game was a bit less competitive with the Knights seizing a 37-26 lead over the Owls by the break and following up in the 2nd Half by pulling even further away for an 82-66 win. Massiah Merritt led Berkeley College with 26 points.
CONSOLATION BRACKET GAME ONE – The 5 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT MACHIAS CLIPPERS – came out ready to play the 8th seeded COLLEGE OF SAINT JOSEPH’S (VT) FIGHTING SAINTS. By Halftime things were tight as the Clippers held just a 35-31 lead over the Fighting Saints. After the break UM-Machias got more and more separation from CSJ, ultimately winning the game 71-55. Jorge Milo’s 29 points were the most for the Clippers.
CONSOLATION BRACKET GAME TWO – Two teams from the Penn State University system competed in this game. The 7th seeded PSU-FAYETTE ROARING LIONS put the 3rd seeded PSU-MONT ALTO NITTANY LIONS on Upset Alert by the Half with a 59-39 lead. The Roaring Lions then went on to seal the deal, defeating the Nittany Lions by a Century Club- level score of 116-91. Brandon Cunningham put up 36 points to lead PSUF.
*** NJCAA ***
DISTRICT 112 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This was an All North Division title battle for the crown. The North’s 2 seeds – the MARION MILITARY INSTITUTE TIGERS – took the court against the North’s 3rd seeded SHELTON STATE BUCCANEERS. This was a game for the ages and when all the dust had settled Marion Military Institute had eked out a 64-63 triumph. * THE TIGERS ARE DISTRICT 112 CHAMPIONS *
DISTRICT 116 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was a 1 seed versus 2 seed grand finale in this District Championship Game. In the 2 spot the storied VINCENNES UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS found themselves in a fight with the top seeded SOUTHWESTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE BLUE STORM. After a Battle Royal the Trailblazers walked away with a 75-67 victory. * THE TRAILBLAZERS ARE DISTRICT 116 CHAMPIONS *
REGION 201 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Chalk reigned in this Region, as the two top seeds squared off for the title. The 2 seeds – the SOUTH MOUNTAIN COLLEGE COUGARS – battled the top seeded PHOENIX COLLEGE BEARS. This was a hardcourt Armageddon which had the spectators on the edge of their seats, culminating in a 74-71 win for the Cougars. * THE COUGARS ARE REGION 201 CHAMPIONS *
REGION 206 – CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The KANSAS CITY (KS) COLLEGE BLUE DEVILS and the BROWN-MACKIE COLLEGE LIONS were the last two teams left standing in this Region. The Blue Devils led 37-30 at Halftime and sealed the deal after the break with a 77-66 victory, sending them on to the National Tournament for the very first time! Jonathan Murray led KC with a Double-Double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. * THE BLUE DEVILS ARE REGION 206 CHAMPIONS *
MUCH MORE IN A MOMENT …
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