BALLADEER’S BLOG COLLEGE BASKETBALL: NCCAA AND NAIA NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) DIVISION ONE

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 3 seeds – the OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS – played the 6th seeded HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY HIGHLANDERS. Come Halftime the Trailblazers were on top 35-32, but after the break the Highlanders forced Overtime with a 68-68 tie. In the extra session OCU triumphed 84-76 led by Caleb Schmelzer’s 24 points.

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – Up next the 2nd seeded NELSON UNIVERSITY (AZ) WARRIORS got almost more than they could handle from the 7 seeds – the COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS BOBCATS. An intense opening Half ended with the Bobcats holding a mere 40-39 edge. From there the Warriors tied things up 80-80 and won in OT 93-92. Zavelon Bineyard and Rob Jenkins led NU-Arizona with 24 points each.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – The 5 seeds – the HANNIBAL-LAGRANGE UNIVERSITY TROJANS did battle with the 4th seeded UNIVERSITY OF FT. LAUDERDALE EAGLES (should be Flamingos). The defenses dominated at first and at Halftime the Trojans were up 28-20. Things became a shootout in the 2nd Half as HLU won the game 70-61. Josh Talton’s 23 points led the Trojans while teammate Kell Estep had a Double Double of 18 points and 10 rebounds.

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – This game pitted the top seeded COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAMS against the 8 seeds – the JUSTICE UNIVERSITY LIONS. The Rams thoroughly outclassed the Lions on both sides of the ball, leading them 51-34 at the Half before defeating them 94-65. Twenty-two points from Will Kelly led the way for Columbia International.

NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)

ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM took the court against the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS. The Firestorm compiled a 50-34 advantage by Halftime, then kept the Patriots at arm’s length from there for an 86-76 win. Ese Onakpoma tossed in 15 points to lead this total team effort for ACU.

ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – Fighting it out here were the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS and the ST. MARY-OF-THE-WOODS COLLEGE POMEROYS. A tight 1st Half ended with the Lancers up 39-36. After the break, Grace College left the Pomeroys further and further behind to win the game 86-71. Ian Raasch had 27 points to lead the Lancers, while teammate Ian Scott logged a Double Double of 22 points and 10 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – In this game the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES squared off against the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS. A lopsided affair was in store here as the Coyotes were out in front of the Lions 51-36 at the Half, then floored it for a 95-65 beatdown of Langston U. Samaje Morgan led the College of Idaho with 18 points.

ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – The GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS played the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS. This was a tale of 2 Halves, as the Tigers seemed well and truly in charge with a 48-33 lead at the midpoint. From there the Red Raiders rallied furiously but fell short as Georgetown College prevailed 73-70 led by 23 points from Jaquias Franklin.  

ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – This game pitted the LSU-ALEXANDRIA GENERALS against the BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Generals were on top 39-31 come Halftime, but then Bethel U. forced Overtime with a 69-69 deadlock to end Regulation. In the extra session LSU-Alexandria beat the Pilots 83-78 led by Kashie Natt’s Double Double of 28 points and 15 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – The SOUTHERN OREGON UNIVERSITY RAIDERS (should be Sea Gulls) battled the KEISER UNIVERSITY SEAHAWKS. A 38-36 Halftime edge for the Seahawks was erased by Southern Oregon University as they took control from there in an 83-79 triumph. Mason Whittaker put up 18 points to lead the Raiders.

ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – In this hardcourt clash the FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS took on the LIFE UNIVERSITY RUNNING EAGLES. At the midpoint the Lions went into the locker room on top 54-32. After the break the Running Eagles bit into that lead but still FHU won out 85-71 led by Peyton Law’s 23 points.

ELITE EIGHT: FINAL BERTH – Finishing things up were the OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES and the BAKER UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. The Wildcats watched their 37-32 Halftime advantage melt away as the Eagles overcame them for a 77-65 victory. Jaden Lietzke notched a Double Double of 18 points and 12 rebounds to lead Oklahoma Wesleyan.