COLLEGE BASKETBALL POSTSEASON ACTION CONTINUES

*** NAIA ***

SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the SAC Tournament were the 5 seeds – the OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS – and the top seeded JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (should be the Abolitionists). The Stars were chasing the Golden Eagles 37-34 at Halftime but after the break they outscored JBU 40-36 to win this Instant Classic by a final count of 74-73. Chris Williams led Oklahoma City University with 22 points. * THE STARS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT *

SOUTHERN STATES ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The Cinderella 7 seeds – the MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE KNIGHTS – remain THE story of the SSAC Tournament. The Knights notched another Upset, this time over the 3rd seeded BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. A 42-33 lead for the Wildcats at the Half became a 74-74 tie to end Regulation. The 1st Overtime ended in an 86-86 deadlock before the Knights emerged with a 94-93 triumph in DOUBLE OVERTIME. Darrell White had THIRTY-ONE points to lead Middle Georgia State.  

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the 4th seeded LOYOLA (LA) UNIVERSITY WOLF PACK against the top seeds – the STILLMAN COLLEGE TIGERS. The teams exchanged basket for basket in the 1st Half for a 36-36 tie at the break. From there the Wolf Pack took control, ultimately winning by a score of 85-72. Twenty-three points from Zach Wrightsil led the way for the victors.

MID-SOUTH CONFERENCE

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 3 seeds – the LIFE UNIVERSITY RUNNING EAGLES – took on the 6th seeded LINDSEY WILSON COLLEGE BLUE RAIDERS. The Blue Raiders gave the Running Eagles a wake-up call with a 39-36 edge at the midpoint but Life University (not affiliated with the School of Hard Knocks) came back to own the 2nd Half. The Running Eagles won the game 75-67 led by Evan Milligan’s Double Double of 29 points and 12 rebounds.

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The 5-4 game pitted the 5th seeded CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TIGERS against the 4 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS. The score was knotted up at 43-43 by Halftime but the Tigers eked out an 88-87 victory in the end. Stephaun Adams tossed in THIRTY-THREE points to lead Campbellsville University.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – Next came a case of Bear on Bear violence as the 2 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE BEARS – did battle with the 7th seeded SHAWNEE STATE BEARS. The University of Pikeville seemed to have complete control of the game with a 41-21 lead at the break but then had to hold on by their fingertips to win it 79-74. Xaviar Gaona led UPike with 22 points.  

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – The top seeded GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS faced the 8 seeds – the CUMBERLAND UNIVERSITY PHOENIX. The Tigers were on top of the Phoenix 37-35 at Halftime, then got a bit more separation in the 2nd Half, ultimately winning the game 88-79. Troy Steward’s 20 points led Georgetown College.

BIBLE COLLEGE NIT

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 4 seeds – the BLUE LIGHTS COLLEGE THOROUGHBREDS – took the court against the 5th seeded CROWN COLLEGE ROYAL CRUSADERS. The Thoroughbreds proceeded to fold, spindle and mutilate the Royal Crusaders, clobbering them by Halftime FIFTY-FOUR to TWENTY-SEVEN, then finishing them off with a Century Club-level final score of 108-75. Domonique Hunter led Blue Lights College with 25 points. 

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The top seeded DAVIS COLLEGE FALCONS did battle with the 8 seeds – the WORD OF LIFE BIBLE INSTITUTE HUSKIES. The Falcons were in front of the Huskies by a score of 38-29 at the break. In the 2nd Half Davis College was able to get more and more separation from Word of Life Bible Institute, ultimately hammering them to the tune of 82-58.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – In this game the 2 seeds – the TRINITY BAPTIST COLLEGE EAGLES – found themselves playing the 7th seeded APPALACHIAN BIBLE COLLEGE WARRIORS. The Eagles held a healthy 40-28 lead over the Warriors at the midpoint of the game. After the break TBC toyed with Appalachian Bible College, at one point leading them by FORTY points. The Eagles won it 87-62 led by Brandon Tucker’s 22 points.

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – The 3rd seeded TRINITY COLLEGE OF FLORIDA TIGERS went up against the 6 seeds – the WELCH COLLEGE FLAMES. This game saw the Tigers up on the Flames 31-30 at Halftime. In the 2nd Half Trinity College of Florida got a bit more separation on Welch College, advancing to the Semifinals by a final score of 68-60.