NAIA COLLEGE BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, PLUS NCCAA PLAYOFF ACTION

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was a case of Lion-on-Lion violence as the FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS did battle with the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be Hugheses) for the title.   

At Halftime Langston University was on top 40-31 but after the break FHU was primed for a comeback. The Lions outscored the figurative “Hugheses” 40-27 for a 71-67 triumph and their first ever hoops crown. Quan Lax led Freed-Hardeman in this total team effort with his 15 points.

NCCAA (NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION) DIVISION ONE

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 6 seeds – the SAGU-AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE WARRIORS – had a surprise in store for the 3rd seeded MISSION UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS.

The Warriors put Mission University on Upset Alert by the Half with their 41-31 advantage. From there SAGU-AIC maintained their intensity against the Patriots, moving on to the semifinals by a final score of 80-64. Harley Upton’s 24 points led the Warriors, while his teammate Keyshawn Celestino-Clyde logged a Double Double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. 

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The 2nd seeded WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS (should be Flying Ws) faced the 7 seeds – the ASBURY UNIVERSITY EAGLES – who gave them almost more than they could handle. 

The Eagles were up 37-30 at the midpoint but Wayland Baptist came fighting back to force Overtime with a 74-74 tie. The 1st OT ended in an 86-86 deadlock but in the SECOND OVERTIME the Pioneers emerged with a 101-91 victory. A Double Double of 32 points and 10 rebounds from Quenton Coleman led WBU while fellow Pioneer D’Michael Bellfield had a Double Double of 24 points and 14 rebounds.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – This game pitted the 5 seeds – the CLINTON COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS – against the 4th seeded ROBERTS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY REDHAWKS.

The opening Half ended with the Redhawks clinging to a mere 47-46 edge. The Golden Bears rallied, resulting in an 86-86 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session Clinton College defeated Roberts Wesleyan by a score of 108-99. The Golden Bears were led by Malik Brooks with 29 points, while Kevin Constant registered a Double Double of 22 points and 12 rebounds. 

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – Wrapping up the NCCAA Division One action for the day was this game between the top seeded CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS and the 8 seeds – the ALICE LLOYD COLLEGE EAGLES.

Another Upset seemed to be in the offing at Halftime as the Eagles led Cedarville 36-34. The Yellow Jackets came out of the locker room prepared to focus and wound up winning the game by a final tally of 87-73. Grant Whisman of Cedarville University led his team with 24 points. 

NCCAA (NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION) DIVISION TWO

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 7th seeded CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY AT HARRODSBURG PIONEERS took on the 2 seeds – the BOB JONES UNIVERSITY BRUINS.

The Pioneers had their opponents stunned and disheartened at the Half with their tremendous 48-30 lead. After the break CU-Harrodsburg kept the Bruins at arm’s length on their way to an 84-70 Upset Victory. Naykir Joyce tossed in 21 points to lead the underdog Pioneers.   

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – Up next the 4 seeds – the SPURGEON COLLEGE KNIGHTS – clashed with the 5th ranked ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS.   

The Patriots led this shootout by a Halftime score of 55-54, but from there the Knights managed a furious rally. When the dust settled, Spurgeon College had triumphed by a Century Club score of 104-97. Jude Warren led the Knights with his THIRTY-ONE points.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – The top seeded CROWN COLLEGE POLAR BEARS went up against the 8 seeds – the KANSAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FALCONS.

The Polar Bears were pretty much in charge at the break with their 42-22 advantage. In the 2nd Half they successfully held off the Falcons for an 87-69 victory. Cade Carroll notched a Double Double of THIRTY-ONE points and 17 rebounds.

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – Ringing down the curtain on this round was a game between the 3 seeds – the NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY RAMS – and the 6th seeded GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS (should be Blue Tigers).

By the midpoint the Rams were up 42-36. From there North Central University maintained distance from the Tigers, ultimately winning the game by a score of 83-75. Tanner Holtman logged 18 points to lead the Rams.