FINAL FOUR IN THE USCAA & NCCAA PLUS THE NAIA ELITE 8 SET

USCAA DIVISION ONE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS – faced the top seeded FLORIDA NATIONAL UNIVERSITY CONQUISTADORS. The Conquistadors were on top 36-33 come Halftime but from there the Ambassadors outscored FNU 49-30 for an 82-66 Upset win. Michael Middleton scored 23 points to lead Oakwood University.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 7th seeded BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES took the court against the 3 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE (Buffalo) BOBCATS. The Big Blues put the Bobcats on Upset Alert at the break with their 28-26 edge. In the 2nd Half Bluefield State mustered a tad more separation to win the game 65-62. Twenty-eight points from Korey Williams led the Big Blues.

NCCAA DIVISION TWO

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS – squared off against the 8th seeded MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS. By the midpoint of the game the Crusaders were in control with a 40-28 advantage over the Sabercats. From there Great Lakes Christian College methodically left Maranatha Baptist further and further behind, ultimately defeating them 81-61. Isiah Reed of the Crusaders tossed in 20 points to lead his team.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the 2nd seeded GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS against the 3 seeds – the JOHNSON (TN) UNIVERSITY ROYALS (formerly the Preachers). The Tigers went up 48-30 by the end of the opening Half and after the break merely coasted to a 75-51 beatdown of the Royals. Grace Christian University’s Austin Jackson led the way with 13 points.

NAIA DIVISION TWO

ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS tackled the INDIANA UNIVERSITY AT KOKOMO COUGARS. The Hustlin’ Owls were chasing the favored Cougars at Halftime 45-38. Oregon Tech came out of the locker room primed for a comeback and outscored IUK 46-27 to win the game 84-72. Seth Erickson’s 24 points led the Hustlin’ Owls.

ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – In this game the MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS went up against the SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS. The Moundbuilders had the Knights a little wary with their 39-38 edge at the break. After that Marian University came roaring back for an authoritative 82-70 triumph. Reginald Kissoonlal led the Knights with a Double Double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – The INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST RED WOLVES found themselves tangling with the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IL) FIGHTING SAINTS. A 38-38 Halftime tie became an Upset in the 2nd Half as the Red Wolves downed the Fighting Saints 77-61. Jaylen McKay put up 25 points to lead Indiana University East.

ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – Wesleyan Warfare came next as the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS clashed with the DAKOTA WESLEYAN TIGERS (should be the Blue Tigers). The Wildcats held a comfortable 50-37 lead at the Half but then had to hold on by their fingertips to win an 87-86 thriller. Kyle Mangas led Indiana Wesleyan University with 18 points.

ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – The COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES took on the CORNERSTONE UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES. The favored Golden Eagles were on top 38-35 at Halftime but the Coyotes came back to force Overtime with a 75-75 tie. In the extra session the College of Idaho emerged with an 86-82 victory. Talon Pinckney of the Coyotes had 24 points to lead the winners.

ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – The MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS faced the MOUNT VERNON NAZARENE UNIVERSITY COUGARS in this game. The Cougars were threatening the favorites with a 40-39 edge at the break. In the 2nd Half the Mustangs went in front and held on to win it 75-69. Twenty-six points from Tyler Borchers led Morningside College.

ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – The BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS clashed with the WEST VIRGINIA TECH GOLDEN BEARS. The Chargers had it all over the Golden Bears, ultimately parlaying a 43-32 midpoint lead into a 99-72 smackdown. Ethan Freidel led Briar Cliff University in scoring with his THIRTY-ONE points.

ELITE EIGHT: FINAL BERTH – The SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COUGARS upset the UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES. The Cougars were in the lead 43-33 at Halftime but the Jimmies made a fight of it after the break. UJ fell short as Spring Arbor University advanced with an 85-81 win. Brandon Durnell’s 25 points led the Cougars.