NCAA DIVISION TWO
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The teams in this title tussle were the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS and the CAL STATE AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS. Come Halftime the Toros had their opponents worried, leading them 42-38, but from there the Sharks came back to win the game 74-73. M.J. Iraldi’s 27 points led NSU in this Instant Classic.
NCAA DIVISION THREE
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS faced the WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY CARDINALS. The Bantams had eked out a 33-31 edge at the Half. After the break Trinity College managed a bit more separation from the Cardinals for a 73-69 victory. Jarrel Okorougo led the Bantams with a Double Double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, while teammate Drew Lazarre logged a Double Double of his own with 11 points and 12 rebounds. Continue reading
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tournament were the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES and the OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. The Coyotes eliminated all the suspense early on, leading Oklahoma Wesleyan 49-29 by Halftime. After the break the College of Idaho left the Eagles further behind for a 93-65 win. Samaje Morgan led the Yotes with 28 points. 
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CAL STATE AT DOMINGUEZ HILLS TOROS took the court against the WEST LIBERTY UNIVERSITY HILLTOPPERS. This was a tale of two Halves as the Hilltoppers were up 50-39 at the midpoint, following which the Toros rallied to win the game 86-84. Twenty-two points from David Cheatom led the way for CSU-Dominguez Hills. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 2nd seeded WARRIORS from NELSON UNIVERSITY AT ARIZONA (formerly Nelson American Indian College) fought it out with the top seeds – the COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAMS. Come Halftime things were knotted up at 43-43, but after the break the Warriors asserted themselves, pulling away from CIU for an 89-74 triumph. Harley Upton’s 24 points led NU-Arizona, while teammate Rob Jenkins logged a Double Double of 20 points & 11 rebounds. 
FAB FOUR: FIRST BERTH – In this game the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM took the court against the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS in what may have been the game of the day. Stellar defense put the Firestorm on top 32-27 at the Half, but from there they had to hang on tight against the Lancers. ACU won out 73-71. Fifteen points from Lorenzo Wright led the Firestorm. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 3 seeds – the OHIO CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS – played the 6th seeded HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY HIGHLANDERS. Come Halftime the Trailblazers were on top 35-32, but after the break the Highlanders forced Overtime with a 68-68 tie. In the extra session OCU triumphed 84-76 led by Caleb Schmelzer’s 24 points.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) took the court against the 3 seeds – the VILLA MARIA COLLEGE VIKINGS. The Builders embarrassed Villa Maria College on both sides of the ball, leading them 33 to EIGHT (!) at Halftime. From there, the Apprentice School coasted to their 2nd National Championship in a row with a 64-43 victory. Chris Hinmon’s 16 points led the Builders, and teammate Donovon Means had a Double Double of 10 points & 10 rebounds. 
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 4 seeds – the CROWN COLLEGE POLARS – faced the 5th seeded GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS. GCU was on top of the Polars 39-33 by Halftime, but Crown College came out of the locker room ready for a comeback. In the end the Polars triumphed 74-69 led by 24 points from Tyrus Buckner. 
SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The 3rd seeded MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER took the court against the 6 seeds – the CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY AT HARRODSBURG PIONEERS. At the Half the score was knotted up 38-38. From there the Thunder squeezed out a little separation from the Pioneers for a 72-69 victory. Xavier Lucas led MCC with 20 points. 
ROUND ONE: GAME ONE – The 4 seeds – the NEWPORT NEWS APPRENTICE SCHOOL BUILDERS (Shipbuilders) played the 5th seeded SOUTHEASTERN ILLINOIS COLLEGE FALCONS. By Halftime the Builders had acquired a 38-30 advantage over SIC. After the break, the Apprentice School pressed down on the accelerator, routing the Falcons by a score of 85-61. Adrion Wall led the Builders with 19 points.
ROUND ONE: GAME TWO – This game pitted the 2nd seeded LYON COLLEGE SCOTS against the 7 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE AT BUFFALO BOBCATS. The Scots were on fire and led BSC-Buffalo 48-31 at the midpoint. From there Lyon College squeezed out a bit more separation for an 84-63 triumph. Kylon McCullough’s 23 points led the Scots, while teammate Frank Toney had a Double Double of 14 points & 10 rebounds. 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last teams standing in this tournament were the 2nd seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN NEW HAMPSHIRE PENMEN and the 5 seeds – the PACE UNIVERSITY SETTERS (Irish Setters). The Setters were up 35-33 at the Half, but after the break the Penmen forced Overtime with a 64-64 tie. USNH edged Pace 72-71. Royce Williams led the Penmen with 21 points and teammate Paul Greene got a Double Double of 18 points & 13 rebounds. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT BEAUFORT SAND SHARKS – took the court against the top seeded COLUMBUS STATE COUGARS. The score was knotted up at 41-41 come Halftime, but from there the Sand Sharks managed enough separation for a 91-87 Upset win. Hudson Norton tossed in 18 points to lead USC-Beaufort. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS took the court against the GENESEE COLLEGE COUGARS. The Generals were on top 36-30 by Halftime, and from there they floored it. Herkimer College left the Cougars further and further behind as they won the game 86-65. Kenny Freeman and Jayson McGhee led the Generals with 20 points each, while teammate Oladele Oladitan logged a Double Double of 19 points & 10 rebounds. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4th seeded JOHNSON UNIVERSITY ROYALS (formerly the Royal Crusaders) took on the 1 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF PIKEVILLE BEARS. By Halftime the Royals were on top 35-26. After the break the University of Pikeville mounted a small rally but fell short as Johnson U. triumphed 78-73. Isaiah Poore led the victors with 29 points. 
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