FINAL FOUR ACTION IN THE NCAA AND NJCAA PLUS D2 ACTION

NCAA DIVISION THREE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The SWARTHMORE COLLEGE GARNET clashed with the CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS as D3’s Final Four action commenced. The Garnet led the Captains by a Lucky 7 points, 36-29, come Halftime and then maintained that advantage for a 70-63 triumph. Cam Wiley put up 23 points to lead Swarthmore College.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS against the WHEATON (IL) COLLEGE THUNDER. By the midpoint the Titans were on top of the Thunder by a score of 46-41. From there UW-Oshkosh went on to win it by a Centennial Club-level 104-85. The victors were led by Jack Flynn’s Double Double of 21 points and 15 rebounds.

NJCAA DIVISION THREE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – In the 2 spot the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS tangled with the 3rd seeded RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS. Smothering defense was the key to the opening Half, which ended with the Generals up 27-21. After the break the Thunderducks could only edge an inch closer as Herkimer College emerged with a 63-59 triumph. Derrick Felder led the Generals with 17 points.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – The 5th seeded ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE GOLDEN EAGLES took on the 8 seeds – the CENTRAL LAKES COLLEGE AT BRAINERD RAIDERS (should be the Brainstorms). The Raiders put a scare into the Golden Eagles with a 34-25 Halftime advantage but Rock Valley College came out primed for a comeback. The Golden Eagles defeated CLC-Brainerd 68-62 led by Nana Kodom-Ayensu’s Double Double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.  

NCAA DIVISION TWO

DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 6th seeded LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY CHAPARRALS took on their Region’s 3 seeds – the COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES OREDIGGERS. The Chaparrals put the Orediggers on Upset Alert at the break with a 44-29 lead. In the 2nd Half Lubbock Christian University carried through, toppling Colorado School of Mines 82-73 led by 21 points from Isaac Asrat.

DAY ONE, GAME TWO – One of the 1 seeds – the POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS – did battle with the 8th seeded WESTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY WOLVES. In workmanlike fashion the Sea Lions led the Wolves 32-25 at the midpoint then handily defeated them by a final tally of 70-58. Twenty-one points from Daulton Hommes led Point Loma Nazarene U.

DAY ONE, GAME THREE – The 4th seeded UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA AT SAN DIEGO TRITONS took the court against the 5 seeds – the CAL-POLY POMONA BRONCOS. The Tritons’ suffocating defense humiliated the Broncos in the 1st Half, limiting them to just 16 points compared to the 26 put up by their own team. From there UC-San Diego kept their opponents at arm’s length for a 61-50 victory. Tyrell Roberts tossed in 24 points to lead the way for the Tritons.

DAY ONE, GAME FOUR – One of the 2 seeds – the SAINT EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY HILLTOPPERS – got a wakeup call from the 7th seeded ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY RAMS. A 40-35 Rams advantage at Halftime put the fear of God into the Hilltoppers, who barely managed to eke out an 82-81 comeback win. Saint Edward’s University was led in scoring by August Haas with 23 points.