ACCA COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPS CROWNED, NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT BEGINS

ACCA

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS and the KANSAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FALCONS were the last two teams left in the battle for the national title of the ACCA.

The Patriots showed their advantage in postseason experience, notching a 43-35 lead by Halftime. From there the Falcons fought hard to make a comeback and Arlington Baptist University had to hold on tight to survive with an 87-84 victory. Quinton Moore led the Patriots with 27 points. * THE PATRIOTS ARE ACCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

NAIA DIVISION TWO

DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 4 seed versus 5 seed game in this National Tournament pitted the (4) SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS against the (5) ROOSEVELT UNIVERSITY LAKERS.

The Moundbuilders had their Defense clicking and prevented the Lakers from reaching 30 points in either Half. Southwestern College led 31-27 by the midpoint of the game and after the break outscored Roosevelt University 34-28 for a 65-55 triumph. Fourteen points from Cameron Hunt led the Moundbuilders.

DAY ONE, GAME TWO – The 2 seeds – the SAINT THOMAS UNIVERSITY (FL) BOBCATS got almost more than they could handle from the 7th seeded UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT DEARBORN WOLVERINES.

By Halftime the Bobcats had only mustered a 34-31 edge over the Wolverines and the 2nd Half ended with the score knotted up at 67-67. In the Overtime session Saint Thomas University pulled it together for a slender 79-77 win to advance to Round Two. Raheem Bowman led the Bobcats with 18 points and 15 rebounds.  

DAY ONE, GAME THREE – The INDIANA UNIVERSITY-EAST RED WOLVES, one of the 1 seeds in the Tournament, faced the 8th seeded VOORHEES COLLEGE TIGERS. (I told you there are too many college teams called Tigers.)

The Red Wolves seized a 44-32 advantage over the Tigers by the break. From there Indiana University East kept Voorhees College at arm’s length, ultimately defeating them by a count of 91-79. Lucas Huffman’s 18 points led the Red Wolves. 

DAY ONE, GAME FOUR – The 3rd seeded NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS did battle with the 6th seeded BELLEVUE (NE) UNIVERSITY BRUINS.

The Bruins appeared headed for an Upset at the Half, holding a 42-36 lead over the Red Raiders. After the break Northwestern College exploded Offensively and lowered the boom Defensively, overtaking Bellevue University for a 75-62 comeback triumph. Nathan Wedel of the Red Raiders logged a Double Double of 24 points and 11 rebounds to lead the way.

DAY ONE, GAME FIVE – Another 1 seeded team – the CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES – squared off against the 8th seeded MILLIGAN (TN) COLLEGE BUFFALOES.

A 40-21 Halftime lead by the Golden Eagles showed that they were going to be all-business and when all the dust had settled the Buffaloes had been defeated by a final tally of 88-68. Riley Costen tossed in 18 points to lead Cornerstone U. 

DAY ONE, GAME SIX – The 3rd seeded BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS took the court against the 6th seeded OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS.

The Hustlin’ Owls were out in front of the Chargers 31-28 at the midpoint of the game. Briar Cliff University exploded for 52 points in the 2nd Half to the 39 put up by Oregon Tech. The Chargers won it 80-70 led by Jay Wolfe’s 23 points.

DAY ONE, GAME SEVEN – The other 4 seed versus 5 seed game of the day was between the (4) OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES and the (5) BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots).

A 33-26 Halftime advantage for the Eagles did not hold up, as the Pilots stormed back in the 2nd Half to force Overtime with a 64-64 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session Oklahoma Wesleyan outscored Bethel College 19-11 for an 83-75 victory. Jake Feickert’s 24 points led the winners. 

DAY ONE, GAME EIGHT – This game pitted the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS against the 7th seeded KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS.

The Cougars – in a very workmanlike way – left the Seahawks further and further behind, outscoring them 40-36 in the 1st Half and 43-37 in the 2nd. The University of Saint Francis notched an 83-73 win led by THIRTY-TWO points from Derek Hinen.