NCCAA AND USCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENTS CONTINUE

UNITED STATES COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION TWO

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 1 seeds – the PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS – battled the Cinderella 6th seeded MIAMI UNIVERSITY AT HAMILTON HARRIERS. This game was a defensive epic, with the Lions on top at Halftime by a mere 25-19. After the break, PSU-York kept the Harriers at arm’s length to win the title 56-48. James Barlow led the Lions with a Double Double of 15 points and 21 rebounds.

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION TWO

FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 6th seeded CROWN COLLEGE POLARS took the court against the 3 seeds – the MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER. The Thunder seemed to be in control at the Half with their 36-28 lead, but from there Crown College roared back. The Polars proceeded to upset MCC by a final score of 71-64. Leading Crown College was Anthony Knight, who tossed in 26 points.

SECOND QUARTERFINAL – In this game the 1 seeds – the SPURGEON COLLEGE KNIGHTS – clashed with the 8th seeded FAITH BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE EAGLES. Points flew like shrapnel in the opening Half as the Knights went into the locker room leading 63-53. By the time the buzzer sounded Spurgeon College eliminated the Eagles by a Century Club score of 103-90 led by Raven Ortiz with 21 points. His teammate Bohden Duffield logged a Double Double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.

THIRD QUARTERFINAL – The 7th seeded BOB JONES UNIVERSITY BRUINS faced off against the 2 seeds – the GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS. Though the Crusaders were on top 45-42 at the midpoint, the Bruins rallied after the break. In the end, Bob Jones University toppled GLCC 86-81 as Shad Vander Hart blazed the trail via his Double Double of 22 points and 12 rebounds.

FOURTH QUARTERFINAL – And finally, the 5 seeds – the NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY RAMS – collided with the 4th seeded CHAMPION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TIGERS. At Halftime the Rams led CCC 44-35, then floored it to leave the Tigers eating their dust in a 91-62 blowout. Jax Effertz led the victors in this Upset by putting up 16 points.

NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION ONE

CENTRAL REGION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeded COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS BOBCATS tussled with the 2 seeds – the MISSION UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS – for this Region’s title. The Bobcats were out in front of their opponents 43-33 at the Half but had to hold on by their fingertips from there to win this Instant Classic 78-77. The College of the Ozarks was led by Andew Dalton with his 27 points.

SOUTH REGION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Up next, this Region’s 1 seeds – the COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAMS – played the 3rd seeded PAINE COLLEGE LIONS. The opening Half ended with the Rams up 45-32. After the break Columbia International University kept the Lions at arm’s length on their way to an 83-68 victory. Twenty points from Will Kelly led the way to the second consecutive South Region crown for the Rams.

MIDEAST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This game pitted the 2nd seeded OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS against the top seeds – the LANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE CHARGERS. The Trailblazers took control of things early on and led Lancaster Bible College 59-35 come Halftime. From there, OCU coasted to a Century Club level 106-87 win. Landon Brewer led the Trailblazers to the title with his Double Double of 25 points and 11 rebounds.

*** A FEW DAYS AGO, BALLADEER’S BLOG COVERED THE WEST REGION CHAMPIONSHIP GAME, WHICH WAS WON BY THE NELSON AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE WARRIORS.