BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: NAIA ELITE EIGHT SET

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The EVANGEL UNIVERSITY VALOR faced the LEWIS-CLARK STATE WARRIORS (should be Explorers).

This was a tale of two Halves as the Valor thoroughly dominated the opening, leading their opponents 43-26 at the break. From there Evangel University had to hold on by their fingertips against a furious Warriors rally for a 77-74 victory. Garrett Davault of the Valor led his team with 22 points. 

ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – This game saw the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS clash with the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS.

Come Halftime the Lancers were on top by a score of 45-30. After the break Grace College kept the Red Raiders at arm’s length on their way to winning out 82-66. Elijah Malone of the Lancers led his team with a Double Double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. 

ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – The COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES fought it out with the MADONNA UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS for this berth.

The Coyotes were clinging to a mere 40-38 edge at the Half, but came out of the locker room on fire. They put more and more distance between themselves and the Crusaders, ultimately winning by a score of 87-65. Seventeen points from Isaac Anderson led the College of Idaho. 

ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – The FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS took the court against THE MASTER’S UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS.

By the midpoint of the game the Lions held a 44-38 lead over The Master’s University. A nerve-wracking 2nd Half ended with Freed-Hardeman University triumphing in a 69-68 Instant Classic. Quan Lax tossed in 18 points to lead the Lions to victory.   

ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – The CENTRAL BAPTIST COLLEGE MUSTANGS played the OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES in this game.

At the Half the Mustangs were up 36-35. The 2nd Half was almost as tight, but when the dust settled, Central Baptist College had defeated the Eagles by a final tally of 84-79. Wade Williams put up 20 points to lead the Mustangs, while his teammate Deshawn Corprew logged a Double Double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. 

ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – Up next the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS were up against the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM.

The Firestorm were out in front 37-34 at Halftime, but the Wildcats came out of the locker room primed for a comeback. They outscored ACU 50-36 from there to win the game 84-73. Twenty-six points from Griffin Kliewer led Indiana Wesleyan University.

ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – The MORNINGSIDE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS collided with the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS.

A 37-28 Mustangs advantage at the Half was nibbled into after the break. The Cumberlands rally fell short, however, as Morningside University won the game by a final score of 80-74. Ely Doble’s 29 points led the Mustangs.

ELITE EIGHT: FINAL BERTH – Fighting it out for this final berth were the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be Hugheses) and the LSU AT SHREVEPORT PILOTS (riverboat pilots).

The Lions had seized a 38-29 lead over LSU-Shreveport by Halftime. Following that, Langston University left the Pilots further and further behind on their way to a 78-61 victory. Anthony Roy led the Lions with his 17 points.