NATIONAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION DIVISION ONE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This title tilt was fought between the 3 seeds – the LANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE CHARGERS – and the 4th seeded COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAMS. By Halftime the Chargers were on top 37-27. After the break, LBC kept the Rams at arm’s length as they won their first ever National Championship 82-75. Camden Hurst tossed in 27 points to lead the Chargers.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS
ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY GYRENES faced the LOUISIANA STATE AT SHREVEPORT PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Gyrenes put LSU-Shreveport on Upset Alert at the Half with their 46-38 advantage. The Pilots cut into the AMU lead from there, but still lost to them by a Century Club score of 102-98. The Gyrenes were led by Michael Klekas with a Double Double of 26 points and 11 rebounds. His teammates Jack Watkins and Alex Sherwood got Double Doubles of their own with 21 points & 11 rebounds, and 14 points & 10 rebounds, respectively.
ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – In this game the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS took the court against the UNIVERSITY OF THE CUMBERLANDS PATRIOTS. The Lancers parlayed their 40-39 edge at the midpoint into an 82-74 victory when all was said and done. Leading the way for Grace College were Gavin Betten and Ian Raasch with 19 points each.
ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – The BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY AT MESA REDHAWKS and the FAULKNER UNIVERSITY EAGLES (should be the Fury) played a marathon clash next. Faulkner held a 44-43 edge at Halftime but the Redhawks tied it up 77-77 to end Regulation. The first OT ended in an 83-83 deadlock, but in DOUBLE OVERTIME BU-Mesa triumphed 96-88. Isaiah Howard led the Redhawks with his Double Double of 27 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Eric Blackwell logged a Double Double of 15 points and 15 rebounds.
ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – The HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS did battle with the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. The Royals had Indiana Wesleyan worried at the Half with their 27-25 edge, then consummated the Upset after the break with a 71-65 win. Nineteen points from Nick Hopkins led Hope International University.
ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – This game pitted the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM against the GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS. The Firestorm were up 38-32 at the midpoint, following which they managed a bit more separation from Georgetown College to notch an 86-78 victory. Shaud Bradley led Arizona Christian with 25 points.
ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – Up next the ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS waged an ursine Armageddon with the BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY BRUINS. The Battlin’ Bears watched their 33-28 Halftime advantage slip away as Bellevue forced OT with a 63-63 tie. In Overtime, Rocky Mountain College prevailed 78-73 led by Royce Robinson’s 24 points. Carter McCoy had a Double Double of 19 points and 10 rebounds.
ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – The FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS played the NORTHWESTERN (IA) COLLEGE RED RAIDERS. At the Half the Red Raiders led Freed-Hardeman 42-35. From there the Lions roared back to win this Instant Classic 74-72. Leading the way for FHU was Phil Horton, who put up 21 points.
ELITE EIGHT: LAST BERTH – A defensive epic was in store from the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be Hugheses) and the favored OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. Oklahoma Wesleyan was on top by a mere 26-18 come Halftime but the Lions came from behind for a tight 56-55 victory. Twenty points from Orlando Thomas led Langston University.
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