NJCAA DIVISION THREE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The NORTHERN ESSEX COLLEGE KNIGHTS did battle with the RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS for the NJCAA3 crown. At Halftime the underdog Thunderducks clung to a 30-28 edge. The Knights came out of the locker room ready for a comeback and ultimately won the game 68-62. Alejandro Delgado led Northern Essex with 16 points.
NJCAA DIVISION TWO
FIRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS against the DANVILLE AREA COLLEGE JAGUARS. The Cobras put Danville Area College on Upset alert at the Half with their authoritative 39-25 lead. From there, Parkland College carried through by toppling the Jaguars 77-66. Twenty-two points from Jaiden Martin led the Cobras. Continue reading
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS took the court against the NORTH LAKE COLLEGE BLAZERS. The teams went almost basket for basket and by Halftime the Blazers held a mere 31-30 edge. After the break the Thunderducks made their move, storming back to upset North Lake College 67-59. Sixteen points from Dre Rutledge led Richland College and his teammate Andrew Huntley got a Double Double of 15 points and 12 rebounds.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in D2 were the GANNON UNIVERSITY GOLDEN KNIGHTS and the LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS. No real suspense in this title game, unfortunately, as the Golden Knights dominated Lander U. on both sides of the ball all the way. Come Halftime, Gannon had compiled a 37-21 advantage and from there they coasted to an 84-61 victory. Leading the Golden Knights was Pace Prosser with a Double Double of 28 points and 11 rebounds.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Fighting for the title were the NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) and the URBE UNIVERSITY TIGERS. The Builders made a statement with their 39-29 Halftime advantage over URBE University. From there, they pretty much maintained distance from the Tigers for a 69-60 triumph led by Donovan Means with 17 points.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The LANDER UNIVERSITY BEARCATS pulled off a major Upset against the defending national champs – the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS. At the Half the Bearcats had NSU on Upset Alert with their 42-31 lead. After the break, Lander U. kept the Sharks at arm’s length enroute to a 91-81 victory. Twenty-five points from Greyson Pritzl led the Bearcats, while teammate Dylan Canoville got a Double Double of 18 points and 11 rebounds.
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) took the court against the MID-ATLANTIC CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY MUSTANGS. Come Halftime the Builders were on top 34-26. From there, NNAS managed more separation from the Mustangs as they won the game 70-58. Jahlil Hope and Devon Brown led the Builders with 14 points each.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Next, the URBE UNIVERSITY TIGERS played the SOUTHEAST CHRISTIAN COLLEGE EAGLES (should be Angels). The Tigers were out in front of Southeast Christian College at the Half by a score of 37-27. After the break, URBE University kept the Eagles at arm’s length for a 75-55 triumph. Luis Carias led the way for the Tigers with 20 points.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was an all-CIAA title tilt as the VIRGINIA STATE TROJANS did battle with the BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES. Bluefield State dominated the opening Half and led 36-28 going into the locker room. From there the Trojans roared back, ultimately winning the game 69-66. Jacob Cooper led Virginia State with 29 points.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The UNIVERSITY OF MARY WASHINGTON EAGLES played the TRINITY (CT) COLLEGE BANTAMS in this game. The favored Bantams were on top 37-26 at the Half, but after the break UMW made their move. In the end the Eagles triumphed over Trinity 64-61 led by 21 points from Kye Robinson.
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS played the UNIVERSITY OF ST. THOMAS (TX) CELTS. The defenses ruled at first and come Halftime the score was knotted up at a mere 22-22. After the break, CNU managed enough separation to upset the Celts by a score of 63-59. Toa Hollenbeck led the Captains with his 25 points.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Up next, the TRINITY (CT) COLLEGE BANTAMS did battle with the TUFTS UNIVERSITY JUMBOS. The Bantams held a tight 29-27 edge at the Half. From there competition remained intense but Trinity College downed the Jumbos 69-66. Sixteen points from Henry Vetter led the way for the Bantams.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.