NAIA FINAL FOUR SET, CCCAA FINAL FOUR PLAY

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.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

FIRST SEMIFINAL – The FULLERTON COLLEGE HORNETS played the SANTA ROSA COLLEGE BEAR CUBS here. The Hornets seized control early in the game and refused to relinquish it. Come Halftime, Fullerton College led the Bear Cubs by a score of 40-27 and when all was said and done the Hornets advanced to the title game by a final count of 90-65. Fullerton was led to victory by Gavin Early with 14 points. 

SECOND SEMIFINAL – And finally, the CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO RAMS took the court against the CITRUS COLLEGE OWLS. This was a neck-and-neck game throughout, and at the Half the Rams clung to a mere 34-33 edge. From there, CCSF was able to add one more point to their lead, ultimately winning the game 73-71. Kenyon DeMuynck led the Rams with a Double Double of 24 points and 10 rebounds.