NAIA FINAL FOUR SET

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS faced the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM. The teams went almost basket for basket in the opening Half, with the Firestorm on top 36-34 going into the locker room. From there the play was just as tight, but the Lions eked out a 79-78 victory. Rico Sain put up 21 points to lead Freed-Hardeman.

FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Up next, the BENEDICTINE UNIVERSITY AT MESA REDHAWKS clashed with the HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS. The Redhawks put Hope International on Upset Alert with their 39-35 advantage at Halftime, then carried through by defeating the Royals by a final tally of 86-75. BU-Mesa was led by Isaiah Howard with a Double Double of 22 points and 14 rebounds.

FINAL FOUR: THIRD BERTH – The AVE MARIA UNIVERSITY GYRENES took the court against the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS and served up another Upset. At the midpoint the Gyrenes were up 55-43. After the break, Ave Maria U. kept the Lancers at arm’s length to win the game 99-86. THIRTY-FIVE points from Jack Watkins led the Gyrenes, while teammate Alex Sherwood logged a Double Double of 12 points and 17 rebounds.

FINAL FOUR: LAST BERTH – This game pitted the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be the Hugheses) against the ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS. The Lions hinted at a 3rd Upset and led RMC 25-22 at Halftime. From there, Langston squeezed out a tad more separation from the Battlin’ Bears for a 60-55 triumph led by 14 points from Orlando Thomas.