NAIA & CCCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS, AND NCAA DIV THREE TOURNAMENT

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF INTERCOLLEGIATE ATHLETICS

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the NAIA were the FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS and the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be Hugheses). By Halftime Freed-Hardeman University was on top 33-30, and after the break they squeezed out a tiny bit more separation from Langston U. FHU triumphed 76-71 led by 20 points from Orlando Thomas.

NCAA DIVISION THREE

ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – The UNIVERSITY OF CHICAGO MAROONS clashed with the GUSTAVUS ADOLPHUS COLLEGE GUSTIES. Gustavus Adolphus had the Maroons a bit wary with their 40-39 edge at the Half. From there, the University of Chicago snuck by the Gusties for a 93-92 victory. Twenty-one points from Shane Regan led the Maroons.

ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – After that shootout, the CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS and the RANDOLPH-MACON COLLEGE YELLOW JACKETS played a defensive epic. By the midpoint the underdog Captains were up 35-21. After the break, CNU had to hold on by their fingertips as a furious Yellow Jackets rally fell just short – 59-57. The Captains were led by Ethan Ward’s 14 points.   

ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – In this game, the TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS took the court against the HOOD COLLEGE BLAZERS. The Bantams dominated play and parlayed their 46-35 advantage at the Half into an easy 88-71 win when all was said and done. Twenty-four points from Jarrell Okorougo led Trinity College to victory. 

ELITE EIGHT: FOURTH BERTH – The TUFTS UNIVERSITY JUMBOS faced the WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CARDINALS. By Halftime, the Jumbos had compiled a very comfortable 44-22 lead over the favored Wesleyan U. From there, Tufts University coasted to a 75-61 triumph. Ricardo Nieves tossed in 21 points to lead the Jumbos, while teammate Joshua Bernstein got a Double Double of 17 points and 14 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: FIFTH BERTH – This game pitted the UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS CELTS against the WASHINGTON (MO) UNIVERSITY BEARS. The opening Half ended with the Celts out in front 34-28. After the break, the Bears tried to come back but UST held them off to win the game by a tight score of 65-63. Charles Gitonga led the Celts with his Double Double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: SIXTH BERTH – The ILLINOIS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY TITANS squared off against the ENDICOTT COLLEGE GULLS. The Titans were up 38-26 going into the locker room before – true to Endicott’s reputation in the spotlight – the Gulls fell to Illinois Wesleyan 83-77. Noah Cleveland led the Titans with a Double Double of 25 points and 10 rebounds.

ELITE EIGHT: SEVENTH BERTH – Next, the EMORY UNIVERSITY EAGLES did battle with the YESHIVA UNIVERSITY MACCABEES. Emory University led the Maccabees 51-44 at Halftime, then proceeded to leave Yeshiva U. further and further behind as they won by a Century Club score of 101-80. Twenty-six points and 10 assists from Ben Pearce led the Eagles. 

ELITE EIGHT: FINAL BERTH – And as further proof of my repeated remarks about too many college teams being called Eagles, the UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON EAGLES took on the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT LACROSSE EAGLES. UMW was on top 41-35 by the Half before winning the game 73-68. Kye Robinson led the victors with a Double Double of THIRTY-FIVE points and 11 rebounds.

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The FULLERTON COLLEGE HORNETS played the CITY COLLEGE OF SAN FRANCISCO RAMS in this title tilt. The favored Rams led Fullerton College 33-24 at Halftime. After the break, the Hornets came from behind to win the game by a final score of 67-64. Leading Fullerton was Jaqari Miles with 25 points.