BALLADEER’S BLOG’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL: D2, D3 AND NJCAA TOURNAMENTS

NCAA DIVISION TWO

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The teams in this title tussle were the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS and the CAL STATE AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS. Come Halftime the Toros had their opponents worried, leading them 42-38, but from there the Sharks came back to win the game 74-73. M.J. Iraldi’s 27 points led NSU in this Instant Classic. 

NCAA DIVISION THREE

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS faced the WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CARDINALS. The Bantams had eked out a 33-31 edge at the Half. After the break Trinity College managed a bit more separation from the Cardinals for a 73-69 victory. Jarrel Okorougo led the Bantams with a Double Double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Drew Lazarre logged a Double Double of his own with 11 points and 12 rebounds.   

SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the NEW YORK UNIVERSITY VIOLETS against the WASHINGTON (MO) BEARS. The midpoint of the game saw the Violets on top 39-33, and when all of the dust settled NYU won 72-60. Twenty points from Hampton Sanders led the Violets, while teammate Brock Susko had a Double Double of 16 points and 12 rebounds. 

NJCAA DIVISION ONE

ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE TEXANS took on the MONROE UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS. This was a tale of 2 Halves as the Mustangs clung to a mere 44-42 edge at Halftime only for the Texans to take over from there. South Plains College won easily 91-71. Caleb Blackwell tossed in 27 points to lead the Texans and his teammate Issac Taveras got a Double Double of 13 points and 14 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – Up next the DAYTONA STATE FALCONS played the BARTON COLLEGE COUGARS. Though the Falcons held a comfortable 43-30 advantage at the Half, Barton College rallied furiously after the break. Daytona State held on for a 73-70 triumph. Fifteen points from Dylan Diaz led the Falcons.

ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – The storied VINCENNES UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS clashed with the INDIAN HILLS COLLEGE WARRIORS. By Halftime the Trailblazers were out in front 35-26, then they parlayed that lead into an 85-71 victory. Hussein Elmaraghy blazed the trail for Vincennes with his 20 points.   

ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – In this game the CONNORS STATE COWBOYS and the SNOW COLLEGE BADGERS fought it out. The Cowboys were up 33-28 at the Half, but from there they had to hold tight against a Badgers rally. The final tally was Connors State 63  Snow College 62. Sixteen points from D.J. Dormu led the Cowboys, while teammate Edwin Daniel got a Double Double of 13 points and 18 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – The ANGELINA COLLEGE ROADRUNNERS played the JONES COLLEGE BOBCATS for this berth. The Roadrunners pretty much outpaced the Bobcats, converting their 37-27 Halftime advantage into a 74-62 triumph. Angelina College was led to victory by the 22 points put up by Christian Jones. 

ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – The TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS took the court against the TRINIDAD STATE TROJANS. The hapless Trojans never had a chance in this lopsided affair as Trinity Valley College led 43-28 by the midpoint. After the break the Cardinals clobbered Trinidad State by a final score of 92-60. Tyler Smith led TVC with 16 points.

ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – This game pitted the PANOLA COLLEGE PONIES against the FRANK PHILLIPS COLLEGE PLAINSMEN. Come Halftime the Ponies’ defense had dominated the Plainsmen for a 32-23 lead. From there Panola College maintained distance from FPC to win out 60-53. Nineteen points from C.J. Worsham led the Ponies.

ELITE EIGHT: FINAL BERTH – Completing the 2025 Elite Eight were the victors of this clash between the COWLEY COLLEGE TIGERS and the TRITON COLLEGE TROJANS. Triton College was smothering the Tigers at the Half THIRTY to EIGHTEEN! Then Cowley College said “just kidding” and roared back for a 58-57 victory. Shamarrie Hugie led the Tigers with 17 points.