MARCH MADNESS: NAIA, NCCAA AND NJCAA TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE

NCCAA DIV ONE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – This first clash of the Final Four teams saw the top seeded SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be the Aguilas) duking it out with the 4 seeds – the CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS TIGERS.

The Eagles, determined to prove that THEIR team name is even more overused than Tigers, led their opponents 33-29 at Halftime. From there Southwestern Christian University outscored Central Christian College of Kansas 34-32 for a 67-61 trip to the Championship Game. Fifteen points from Shawn Scott led the Bulldogs Wildcats Eagles. 

SECOND SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS – and the 6th seeded BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS fought it out for the other slot in the title tilt.

The Lions quickly made sure the Rambling Rams had no illusions about winning, as they slapped them down hard with a 42-24 lead by the break. In the 2nd Half Emmanuel College could relax and coast all the way to a 78-56 triumph. Emerson McClung led the Lions with his 25 points. 

NJCAA DIV THREE

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The 5th seeded COLUMBUS STATE COLLEGE COUGARS took on the 4 seeds – the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS.

By Halftime the Cougars had laid the groundwork for this minor Upset, leading the Generals 41-36. From there Columbus State College outscored Herkimer College 50-40 to win the game by a final tally of 91-76. Matthew Gierhart tossed in 18 points for the victors.

FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Another Upset came along in this clash between the 6 seeds – the MONTGOMERY COLLEGE RAPTORS – and the 3rd seeded NORTH LAKE COLLEGE BLAZERS.

The Raptors managed a 40-35 advantage over the Blazers by the break. After that each team exactly duplicated their 1st Half output, with the end result being an 80-70 triumph for Montgomery College. THIRTY-TWO points from Collin Turner led the way for the Raptors. 

FINAL FOUR: THIRD BERTH – The 2nd seeded NASSAU COUNTY COLLEGE LIONS went up against the 7th seeded MASSASOIT COLLEGE WARRIORS in this game.

The Lions were all business and by the midpoint were on top of the Warriors by a count of 50-38. After the break Nassau County College stayed in charge, slowly adding a bit more to their lead as they won it 91-70. Cheyenne Nettleton was the top scorer for the Lions with 24 points.

FINAL FOUR: LAST BERTH – The last berth in the 2018 Final Four was fought over by the top seeds – the storied BROOKDALE COLLEGE JERSEY BLUES – and the 8th seeded MINNESOTA WEST COLLEGE BLUE JAYS.

The Jersey Blues had compiled an impressive 42-29 lead by Halftime. From there Brookdale College outscored the Blue Jays 52-43 to win the game by a final score of 94-72. Zachary Olukanni’s 25 points led the way for the victors.