BALLADEER’S BLOG: COLLEGE BASKETBALL’S NCCAA REGIONAL TOURNEYS

Teams looking to punch their tickets for the national tournament in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association).

MIDEAST REGION

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The WELCH COLLEGE FLAMES did battle with the BOYCE COLLEGE BULLDOGS.

This was a tale of two Halves, as the Flames were on top 55-36 at Halftime but from there the Bulldogs launched a furious rally. In the end, Welch College hung on by their fingertips for a 96-94 victory. Zaimes Hall put up 24 points to lead the Flames.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY AT HARRODSBURG PIONEERS faced the SIMMONS COLLEGE OF KENTUCKY FALCONS.

The Pioneers played smothering defense, keeping their opponents under 30 points in each Half. A 34-28 Halftime lead for CU-Harrodsburg ultimately became a 67-57 win over the Falcons. Lewis Richards led the Pioneers in scoring with his 22 points.

CENTRAL REGION

GAME ONE – The MANHATTAN (KS) CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER clashed with the CALVARY UNIVERSITY WARRIORS.

The Thunder roared to a 45-33 advantage by the midpoint of the game. After the break, MCC left the Warriors even further behind on their way to a 79-60 triumph. Vacario Triplett and Jamie Juncal of the Thunder led their team with 15 points each.

GAME TWO – This game pitted the BARCLAY COLLEGE BEARS against the CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF THE BIBLE SAINTS.

Come Halftime the favored Saints seemed in control with a 40-24 lead, but a furious rally from the Bears forced Overtime with a 78-78 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session Barclay College managed a 91-88 win. Trey Palmer led all scorers with THIRTY-EIGHT points. 

MIDWEST REGION

GAME ONE – The MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS took the court against the EMMAUS BIBLE COLLEGE EAGLES.

The Sabercats held a mere 34-33 edge at the Half but asserted themselves on both sides of the ball from there. The final tally was Maranatha Baptist 78  Eagles 62. Noah Jensen led the Sabercats with a Double Double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while his teammates Caleb Moultrie and Brayden Cox each tossed in 18 points of their own.

GAME TWO – The GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS played the MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE ARCHERS in this game.

The Tigers took command of the game early on and by the midpoint had accumulated a 45-28 advantage. After the break GCU left the Archers further and further behind, and when the dust had settled the Tigers had won by a Century Club score of 108-62. Braiden McDonald’s 18 points led Grace Christian.

SOUTH REGION

FIRST SEMIFINAL – In this game the BOB JONES UNIVERSITY BRUINS squared off against the JOHNSON UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA SUNS (formerly Florida Christian College).

The Bruins folded, spindled and mutilated the Suns, leading them 44-26 at Halftime and smacking them down even harder from there to win the game 80-54. Twenty-six points from Elijah Cupples led Bob Jones University in scoring.

SECOND SEMIFINAL – It was a case of Eagle on Eagle violence as the PENSACOLA CHRISTIAN COLLEGE EAGLES (should be the Alexandra Palms) collided with the TOCCOA FALLS COLLEGE EAGLES.

The score was knotted up at 39-39 to end the opening Half. After the break Pensacola Christian College got some separation from their opponents to notch an 82-77 victory. Liam Gerdts contributed 29 points to lead PCC to the win. 

SOUTHWEST REGION

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS played the COLLEGE OF BIBLICAL STUDIES AMBASSADORS.

This was a shootout, with the Patriots on top 49-41 at Halftime. From there each team added another 49 points to their total as the game ended in a 98-90 triumph for Arlington Baptist University. Damond Daniels led the Patriots with 23 points while Michael Carter logged a Double Double of 11 points and 13 rebounds. 

SECOND SEMIFINAL – Fighting it out for the other slot in the Southwest Region title game were the CHAMPION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TIGERS and the DALLAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS.

The Crusaders led their opponents 32-30 at the Half, but the Tigers came out of the locker room primed for a comeback. Champion Christian College rallied to win the game by a final score of 79-71. As of this writing neither college has individual player stats from this game available.

NORTH REGION

GAME ONE – The FAITH BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE EAGLES (should be the Globes) played the PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE & SEMINARY PILOTS.

Schizophrenic Halves were the name of the game as the Eagles saw their 34-25 Halftime advantage get whittled down by a valiant comeback attempt by the Pilots. FBBC held on for a tight 69-67 victory. Jared Pearson led the Eagles with 19 points.   

GAME TWO – The TRINITY BIBLE COLLEGE LIONS duked it out with the OAK HILLS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE WOLFPACK.

The Lions dominated the game from start to finish. Come Halftime they were out in front of the Wolfpack 46-29, then pressed down on the accelerator to win by a Century Club score of 101-76. Marcellus Mencarini had a tremendous game with a Double Double of THIRTY-THREE points and 10 rebounds.