NCAA DIVISION THREE
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS squared off against the WILLIAMS COLLEGE EPHS (“eephs”). By Halftime the Captains were clinging to a slight 32-30 edge over the Ephs. After the break Christopher Newport University inched further and further away from their opponents, ultimately winning the game by a score of 79-70. Marcus Carter led the Captains with 27 points.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the SWARTHMORE COLLEGE GARNET played the NICHOLS COLLEGE BISON. The Garnet were on top of the Bison 32-23 at the midpoint. In the 2nd Half Nichols College rallied but Swarthmore College held them off for a 69-65 victory. Twenty points from Zac O’Dell led the way for the Garnet. Continue reading
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tournament were the 4th seeded OAKWOOD UNIVERSITY AMBASSADORS and the Cinderella 7 seeds – the BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES. The opening Half was a tale of stellar defense from both teams and ended with the Ambassadors on top 26-22. After the break each team went basket for basket, putting up 35 more points. Oakwood University won the game 61-57 led by 20 points from Edmen Stewart. * THE AMBASSADORS ARE USCAA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this tournament’s title tilt the 2 seeds – the GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS – did battle with the 4th seeded GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS. The Tigers seemed in control with a 55-38 Halftime lead but from there the Crusaders came back to force Overtime with a 75-75 tie. In Overtime Kellum Bridgeforth hit a 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to give Grace Christian University an 84-83 win. Bridgeforth led his team with 21 points. * THE TIGERS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS OF NCCAA DIVISION TWO *
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS clashed with the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. An action-packed 1st Half ended with the Hustlin’ Owls holding a 47-44 edge over the Wildcats. After the break Oregon Tech got more and more separation, ultimately winning the game by a Century Club level score of 107-93. Mitchell Fink notched THIRTY-FOUR points to lead the Hustlin’ Owls.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 7th seeded BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES took the court against the 3 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE (Buffalo) BOBCATS. The Big Blues put the Bobcats on Upset Alert at the break with their 28-26 edge. In the 2nd Half Bluefield State mustered a tad more separation to win the game 65-62. Twenty-eight points from Korey Williams led the Big Blues.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS – squared off against the 8th seeded MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS. By the midpoint of the game the Crusaders were in control with a 40-28 advantage over the Sabercats. From there Great Lakes Christian College methodically left Maranatha Baptist further and further behind, ultimately defeating them 81-61. Isiah Reed of the Crusaders tossed in 20 points to lead his team.
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 3 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON (Buffalo) BOBCATS – played the 6th seeded CLINTON COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS to tip off the Division One Tournament in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). By Halftime the Golden Bears had spooked the Bobcats with a 38-29 lead but after the break Bryant & Stratton came roaring from behind to win the game 80-73. Nicc (sic) Johnson’s 19 points led the Bobcats.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The title tilt in Division Two of the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) pitted the 3rd seeded PENN STATE AT WILKES-BARRE LIONS against the 5 seeds – the JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. By Halftime the Lions were well and truly in charge, leading the Wildcats by a count of 47-27. From there PSU-Wilkes-Barre coasted to an 86-64 blowout win led by Jordan Williams with his Double Double of 20 points and 12 rebounds. * THE LIONS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE USCAA DIVISION TWO *
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES took the court against the SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY FIRE in this game. The Jimmies had managed a 47-39 advantage at the break before leaving the Fire coughing and choking in their dust with a Century Club level 106-85 smackdown. Terrell Alfred led the University of Jamestown with a Double Double of THIRTY points and 10 rebounds.
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – The INDIANA UNIVERSITY EAST RED WOLVES battled the BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Red Wolves and the Pilots exchanged blow for blow and basket for basket. A 39-39 tie at the Half became a 73-73 deadlock to end Regulation. In the Overtime session Indiana University East emerged with an 83-81 triumph. Aaron Thomas of the Red Wolves led his team with a Double Double of 21 points and 12 rebounds.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this Tournament were the top seeds – the DAVIS COLLEGE FALCONS – and the 2nd seeded TRINITY BAPTIST COLLEGE EAGLES. The 1st Half ended with the Eagles on top 35-29 but the Falcons regrouped in the locker room and came out primed for a comeback. Davis College outscored Trinity Baptist 39-28 to win the game 68-63 for their 4th National Title. Corban Usry led the victors with 17 points. * THE FALCONS ARE BIBLE COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *
IRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the 5th seeded JOHNSON & WALES UNIVERSITY WILDCATS against the 9 seeds – the PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS. The Wildcats were chasing the Lions 35-28 at Halftime but after the break they roared back for a 77-65 comeback triumph. Kajuan Madden-McAfee tossed in 23 points to lead Johnson & Wales University.
ACCA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded Defending National Champions – the ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS – faced the 6th seeded CHAMPION CHRISTIAN COLLEGE TIGERS in the title game of the ACCA (Association of Christian College Athletics). The Tigers held a 38-36 edge come Halftime but after the break the Patriots demonstrated the old “heart of a champion” and came back to win this 75-73 Instant Classic. * THE PATRIOTS ARE ACCA NATIONAL CHAMPIONS *
DAY TWO, GAME ONE – Starting Day Two in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association) was this clash between the 8th seeded CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE SILVER KNIGHTS and the 6 seeds – the NEW HAMPSHIRE TECHNICAL INSTITUTE LYNX. The Silver Knights had the Lynx on Upset Alert with a 42-31 lead at the break, then kept NHTI at arm’s length in the 2nd Half for an 82-70 victory. Tyreke Woodard led Central Penn College with 28 points.
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 10 seeds – the VERMONT TECH GREEN KNIGHTS – took the court against the 7th seeded PENN STATE AT MONT ALTO LIONS. The Green Knights showed they were in it for the win with their 40-36 Halftime lead. After the break Vermont Tech got more and more separation from PSU-MA, ultimately defeating them by a final score of 89-73. Jeremiah Shaw tossed in 21 points to lead the Green Knights.
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – This game pitted the 8th seeded PENN STATE AT YORK LIONS against the 9 seeds – the CENTRAL PENN COLLEGE SILVER KNIGHTS. The Lions held a comfortable 34-27 lead by the midpoint but from there the Silver Knights closed the gap. The Central Penn rally fell just short as Penn State at York won it 58-57. John Gillespie’s 14 points led the victors.
SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in the SAC Tournament were the 5 seeds – the OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY STARS – and the top seeded JOHN BROWN UNIVERSITY GOLDEN EAGLES (should be the Abolitionists). The Stars were chasing the Golden Eagles 37-34 at Halftime but after the break they outscored JBU 40-36 to win this Instant Classic by a final count of 74-73. Chris Williams led Oklahoma City University with 22 points. * THE STARS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE SOONER ATHLETIC CONFERENCE TOURNAMENT *
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The Cinderella 7 seeds – the MIDDLE GEORGIA STATE KNIGHTS – remain THE story of the SSAC Tournament. The Knights notched another Upset, this time over the 3rd seeded BETHEL (TN) WILDCATS. A 42-33 lead for the Wildcats at the Half became a 74-74 tie to end Regulation. The 1st Overtime ended in an 86-86 deadlock before the Knights emerged with a 94-93 triumph in DOUBLE OVERTIME. Darrell White had THIRTY-ONE points to lead Middle Georgia State.
ROUND ONE, GAME ONE – The 6 seeds – the MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS – clashed with the 3rd seeded ROCKY MOUNTAIN COLLEGE BATTLIN’ BEARS. The Orediggers put the Battlin’ Bears on Upset Alert with a stunning 36-20 Halftime lead then went on to consummate the deal with a 70-59 victory. Taylor England led Montana Tech with a Double Double of 16 points and 11 rebounds. This was the Orediggers’ first Opening Round win since 1999.
ROUND ONE, GAME TWO – The 4th seeded MONTANA STATE-NORTHERN LIGHTS took the court against the 5 seeds – the PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY ARGONAUTS. At the end of an action-packed 1st Half the Lights were on top 50-37. From there the Argonauts outscored Montana State-Northern 56-51 but in vain. The Lights entered the Century Club with 101 points to the 93 scored by Providence. Adam Huse and Mascio McCadney had 26 points each for the victors.