USCAA & NCCAA CHAMPS CROWNED PLUS NAIA FINAL FOUR SET

USCAA DIVISION ONE

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tournament were the 4th seeded OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS and the Cinderella 7 seeds – the BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES. The opening Half was a tale of stellar defense from both teams and ended with the Ambassadors on top 26-22. After the break each team went basket for basket, putting up 35 more points. Oakwood University won the game 61-57 led by 20 points from Edmen Stewart. * THE AMBASSADORS ARE USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS * 

NCCAA DIVISION TWO

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this tournament’s title tilt the 2 seeds – the GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS – did battle with the 4th seeded GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS. The Tigers seemed in control with a 55-38 Halftime lead but from there the Crusaders came back to force Overtime with a 75-75 tie. In Overtime Kellum Bridgeforth hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to give Grace Christian University an 84-83 win. Bridgeforth led his team with 21 points. * THE TIGERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF NCCAA DIVISION TWO *

NAIA DIVISION TWO

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS clashed with the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. An action-packed 1st Half ended with the Hustlin’ Owls holding a 47-44 edge over the Wildcats. After the break Oregon Tech got more and more separation, ultimately winning the game by a Century Club level score of 107-93. Mitchell Fink notched THIRTY-FOUR points to lead the Hustlin’ Owls.

FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES took on the MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS for the right to advance. The Coyotes led the Mustangs 35-25 at the Half but then had to hold on by their fingernails for a 62-59 victory. The College of Idaho was led by Talon Pinckney, who tossed in 19 points.

FINAL FOUR: THIRD BERTH – The MARIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS found themselves facing the BRIAR CLIFF UNIVERSITY CHARGERS. The Mustangs made the Chargers their prison brides as they parlayed a 54-37 midpoint advantage into a Century Club level 105-66 blowout win. Leading the Knights was Wes Stowers with 29 points.

FINAL FOUR: LAST BERTH – Fighting for the remaining berth in the NAIA’s 2019 Final Four were the SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COUGARS and the INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST RED WOLVES. The Cougars held a 45-35 lead by the break, and from there they left the Red Wolves just a bit further behind to win it 89-77. Paul Marandet and Brandon Durnell each had 20 points to lead SAU.