NAIA ELITE EIGHT ACTION

The Final Four teams were set in the NAIA as the Elite Eight clashed.

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The 3 seeds – the LEWIS-CLARK STATE WARRIORS (should be the Explorers) – took the court against the 11th seeded LOYOLA UNIVERSITY (LA) WOLFPACK.

By Halftime the Warriors held a 33-30 edge over the Wolfpack. After the break Loyola University came back to knot things up at 66-66 to end Regulation. In Overtime Lewis-Clark State won out by a final tally of 75-70. Trystan Bradley led  the victors with 18 points while his teammate Hodges Bailey logged a Double-Double of 12 points and 10 rebounds.

FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the 7th seeded SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS did battle with the Cinderella 15 seeds – the CARROLL COLLEGE FIGHTING SAINTS.

The Fighting Saints had the Lions faithful worried at the Half with their tight 37-35 lead. In the 2nd Half the Southwestern Assemblies of God University outscored their opponents 38-28 for a 73-65 triumph and a spot in the Final Four. Leading the Lions was Joel Polius with his Double-Double of 27 points and 10 rebounds. 

FINAL FOUR: THIRD BERTH – The 9 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS – squared off against the 16th seeded BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots).

The Pilots were threatening an Upset at Halftime with a 49-44 advantage over the Cougars. The University of Saint Francis came out of the locker room primed for a comeback and when all the dust had settled they had defeated Bethel U 89-81. Jalan Mull of the Cougars led his team with a Double-Double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.   

FINAL FOUR: LAST BERTH – The 5th seeded SHAWNEE STATE BEARS made it an all-chalk day with their victory over the 13th seeded UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES.

The Jimmies were on top by a score of 33-32 at the midpoint of the game, but after the break the Bears rallied. Shawnee State left the University of Jamestown further and further behind, ultimately winning out 76-65. James Jones led the way for the Bears by tossing in THIRTY-ONE points.