BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAMES AND MORE: MARCH 19th

NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Fighting it out for the National Championship in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) were the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES and the INDIANA TECH WARRIORS (should be Hoplites).

The Coyotes fell into their usual pattern this season – they saw a comfortable Halftime lead of 45-26 get whittled down by an opponent’s rally. In the end, Indiana Tech fell just short against the College of Idaho, who held on for a 73-71 win. Jake O’Neil led the victors with a Double Double of 15 points and 12 rebounds. * THE COYOTES ARE NAIA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

NCCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (riverboat pilots) faced the CLINTON COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS for the National Championship of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Division One.

At the Half, the Pilots were up 34-30. From there, they mustered a bit more separation from the Golden Bears to win the game by a final score of 78-72. Drew Lutz led Bethel University with THIRTY-FIVE points, while teammates Life Granville and Alonas Peciulis notched Double Doubles – Granville with 15 points and 13 rebounds, Peciulis with 11 points and 10 rebounds. * THE PILOTS ARE NCCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

USCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) Division One, the SALEM UNIVERSITY TIGERS did battle with the BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE BOBCATS for the title.

The Tigers dominated on both sides of the ball, seizing a 37-21 advantage by Halftime, then keeping the Bobcats at arm’s length the rest of the way for a 76-59 triumph. Salem University was led in scoring by Justin Tene with 16 points. * THE TIGERS ARE USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

NCAA DIVISION THREE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the NCAA D3 Tournament were the CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS and the UNIVERSITY OF MOUNT UNION PURPLE RAIDERS.

A defense-dominated 1st Half ended with the Purple Raiders up 29-26. The Captains came out of the locker room fighting hard and managed a thrilling 74-72 comeback victory. Trey Barber led Christopher Newport University with his Double Double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. * THE CAPTAINS ARE NCAA DIVISION THREE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *

USCAA DIVISION TWO

FIRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI (OH) AT HAMILTON HARRIERS against the GREAT BAY COLLEGE HERONS. At the midpoint, the Harriers were on top by a score of 32-26. After the break, UM-Hamilton maintained their distance from the Herons, ultimately winning the game 69-61. Ryan Marchal of the Harriers tossed in 27 points to lead his team.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – The PENN STATE AT WILKES-BARRE NITTANY LIONS played the KENT STATE AT TUSCARAWAS GOLDEN EAGLES for the other slot in the championship game. The Nittany Lions led the Golden Eagles 40-33 at the Half. From there, Kent State-Tuscarawas closed the gap a tiny bit but saw PSU-Wilkes-Barre win out 77-72. Eighteen Points from Anthony Picott led the Nittany Lions.