NORTHEAST TEN CONFERENCE
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last teams standing in this tournament were the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE PENMEN and the 5 seeds – the PACE UNIVERSITY SETTERS (Irish Setters). The Setters were up 35-33 at the Half, but after the break the Penmen forced Overtime with a 64-64 tie. USNH edged Pace 72-71. Royce Williams led the Penmen with 21 points and teammate Paul Greene got a Double Double of 18 points & 13 rebounds.
PEACH BELT CONFERENCE
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT BEAUFORT SAND SHARKS – took the court against the top seeded COLUMBUS STATE COUGARS. The score was knotted up at 41-41 come Halftime, but from there the Sand Sharks managed enough separation for a 91-87 Upset win. Hudson Norton tossed in 18 points to lead USC-Beaufort.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AIKEN PACERS played the 5 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF NORTH GEORGIA NIGHTHAWKS. The Pacers were on top 39-33 at the Half but the Nighthawks forced Overtime with a 75-75 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session USC-Aiken triumphed 92-88 led by 29 points from Jalen McCoy.
GREAT LAKES VALLEY CONFERENCE
SEMIFINAL ONE – The 2 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI AT ST. LOUIS TRITONS – battled the 3rd seeded UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY PEACOCKS. By Halftime the Tritons were out in front 43-38 only to face OT as Upper Iowa made it a 71-71 deadlock. UMSL won out in Overtime 87-80. Matt Enright’s 22 points led the Tritons, while his teammate Troy Glover II logged a Double Double of 12 points and 12 rebounds.
SEMIFINAL TWO – This game pitted the 4th seeded LINCOLN (MO) UNIVERSITY BLUE TIGERS against the 5 seeds – the LEWIS UNIVERSITY FLYERS. The Blue Tigers were all business in the 1st Half and led Lewis University 36-28 going into the locker room. After the break, Lincoln U. had to hold tight for a 62-59 victory. Twenty points from Tyler Chapman led the Blue Tigers.
PACIFIC WEST CONFERENCE
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Fighting it out for this conference crown were the top seeds – the POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS – and the 3rd seeded ACADEMY OF ART URBAN KNIGHTS. Defense ruled at first, as the Urban Knights held a 29-25 Halftime advantage over Point Loma Nazarene. From there the Sea Lions made their move, coming back to win 67-64 led by Zackry Paulsen with 19 points.
LONE STAR CONFERENCE
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 2nd seeded LUBBOCK CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY CHAPARRALS took on the 6 seeds – the WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFALOES. The Buffaloes had LCU scared with their 35-23 lead at the Half. After the break the Chaparrals forced OT with a 59-59 tie, then won the game in the extra session by a final tally of 76-67. Ethan Duncan’s THIRTY-SEVEN points led Lubbock Christian.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – The top seeds – the DALLAS BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS – faced the 8th seeded ST. EDWARD’S UNIVERSITY HILLTOPPERS in this game. An Upset seemed in the offing as the Hilltoppers led 35-28 come Halftime, but the Patriots buckled down and delivered a 78-71 comeback victory. Ricky Lujan’s 26 points led Dallas Baptist.
GREAT AMERICAN CONFERENCE
SEMIFINAL ONE – A fight between the top seeded SOUTHERN NAZARENE UNIVERSITY CRIMSON STORM and the 5 seeds – the HENDERSON STATE REDDIES – was on the menu here. The defenses dominated the 1st Half which ended with the Crimson Storm up 29-20. From there SNU floored it, leaving the Reddies eating their dust in a 69-45 rout. Stevie Strong led the Crimson Storm with 21 points.
SEMIFINAL TWO – The 3 seeds – the HARDING UNIVERSITY BISON – played the 2nd seeded OUACHITA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY TIGERS. The Bison took charge early, leading Ouachita Baptist 41-21 at the midpoint before going on to win the game 83-66. Twenty-six points from Sam Smith led Harding University to victory.
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