NAIA
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES clashed with the TOUGALOO COLLEGE BULLDOGS in this game.
By Halftime the Coyotes were comfortably on top by a score of 43-23, then coasted to an 83-66 triumph over the Bulldogs. The College of Idaho’s Jake O’Neil led his team with 20 points.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – Up next the INDIANA TECH WARRIORS (should be the Hoplites) played the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM.
The Warriors were clinging to a slender 35-34 edge at the Half, following which they managed to squeeze out a little bit more separation from the Firestorm to win the game 67-64. Twenty points from Blake Davison led Indiana Tech to victory. Continue reading
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Fighting it out for the D2 crown in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) were the KANSAS CHRISTIAN COLLEGE FALCONS and the MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER. 
NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT – The BROOKDALE COLLEGE JERSEY BLUES battled the NORTHAMPTON COLLEGE SPARTANS for this District title. By Halftime the underdog Jersey Blues were on top 46-38, and from there they maintained separation from the Spartans for a 90-84 victory. Darnell Askew led Brookdale College with a Double Double of 26 points and 14 rebounds. * THE JERSEY BLUES ARE NORTH ATLANTIC DISTRICT CHAMPIONS *
MIDATLANTIC DISTRICT – The last two teams standing in this District were the SANDHILLS COLLEGE FLYERS and the BUTLER COUNTY COLLEGE PIONEERS. The Flyers held a comfortable 53-36 advantage at Halftime. After the break, Sandhills kept up the pressure, ultimately defeating the Pioneers by a Century Club score of 114-91. Joey McMullin’s 22 points led the victors, & his teammate Jaquan Thurman logged a Double Double of 16 points and 10 rebounds. * THE FLYERS ARE MIDATLANTIC DISTRICT CHAMPIONS * 
FRONTIER CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The MONTANA TECH OREDIGGERS and the PROVIDENCE UNIVERSITY ARGONAUTS clashed in this conference title game. Points flew like shrapnel as the Orediggers led 62-55 at Halftime, then defeated the Argonauts by a Century Club final score of 103-95. Asa Williams notched 23 points to lead Montana Tech. * THE OREDIGGERS ARE FRONTIER CONFERENCE CHAMPIONS * 
GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this title tilt the DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS faced the UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES. At the Half, the score was knotted up at 42-42, and from there the underdog Defenders managed some separation from the Jimmies for an 86-81 victory. Jacob Vis led Dordt University with 21 points. * THE DEFENDERS ARE GPAC CHAMPIONS * 
GOLDEN STATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The OTTAWA UNIVERSITY (AZ) SPIRIT took on the HOPE INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY ROYALS for the GSAC title. By Halftime the Spirit held a 37-33 edge over the Royals, and a hard-fought 2nd Half ended with OUAZ winning the game by a final score of 71-69. Keshawn Bruner led the Spirit with 20 points as they moved on to the NAIA National Tournament. * THE SPIRIT ARE GSAC CHAMPIONS * 
GREAT PLAINS ATHLETIC CONFERENCE SEMIFINALS – First up, the top seeded UNIVERSITY OF JAMESTOWN JIMMIES downed the 5 seeds – the CONCORDIA (NE) BULLDOGS – 95-77 ### In the 2nd Semifinal, the 3 seeds – the DORDT UNIVERSITY DEFENDERS – edged the MORNINGSIDE COLLEGE MUSTANGS in an 83-82 thriller. 
NORTH STAR ATHLETIC CONFERENCE – It was all chalk in the opening round of the NSAC Tournament. The top-seeded MAYVILLE STATE COMETS swatted the (8) PRESENTATION COLLEGE SAINTS 91-63 ### Meanwhile, the 4 seeds – the VALLEY CITY STATE VIKINGS – eliminated the (5) BELLEVUE (NE) BRUINS 72-54 ### And the (3) DICKINSON STATE BLUE HAWKS won 72-60 over the (6) DAKOTA STATE TROJANS. 
EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE – The number 1 team in the nation – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT JOSEPH (CT) BLUEJAYS – hammered the DEAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS 87-60 ### Meanwhile, the 2nd ranked RANDOLPH MACON COLLEGE YELLOW JACKETS defeated the ROANOKE COLLEGE MAROONS 69-50 ### And the number 3 CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS won 85-73 at the SALISBURY UNIVERSITY SEA GULLS. 
CLOSE CALL FOR NUMBER SIX – The (6) JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY BLUE STREAKS took it on the road against the OHIO NORTHERN UNIVERSITY POLAR BEARS. At Halftime the Polar Bears were on top 44-36 but the Blue Streaks roared back to force Overtime with a 77-77 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session John Carroll University managed a 95-89 victory. Luke Chicone’s Double-Double of 19 points and 10 rebounds led the Blue Streaks. 
NUMBER TWO STILL UNBEATEN – The number 2 team in the nation – the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS – improved to 21-0 for the season in their game against the PALM BEACH ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY SAILFISH. The Sharks were comfortably on top 55-35 by Halftime, then coasted to a 96-66 triumph. Kobe Rodgers and Will Yoakum logged 20 points each to lead NSU. 
CENTURY CLUB – Teams scoring 100 points or more in Regulation: The LEE UNIVERSITY FLAMES won 101-90 at the AUBURN UNIVERSITY AT MONTGOMERY WARHAWKS ### Meanwhile, the CALIFORNIA (PA) VULCANS defeated their hosts the EDINBORO U. FIGHTING SCOTS 106-97 ### And the BELMONT-ABBEY COLLEGE CRUSADERS routed the FRANCIS MARION UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS 107-68. 
TUSSLE IN THE TOP SIX – The number 1 team in the nation – the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS – took it on the road against the 6th ranked INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. By Halftime the Wildcats had built up a 42-32 advantage, but the Lancers came out of the locker room primed for a comeback. They outscored their opponents 60-36 for a 92-78 victory. Elijah Malone’s 29 points led Grace College. 
NUMBER THREE TAKES A FALL – In this game the HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY FORESTERS welcomed the 3rd ranked BETHEL UNIVERSITY (IN) PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots). The Foresters were on top 42-31 at the Half, then squeezed out a bit more separation after the break to win the game 88-74. Lane Sparks led Huntington University with his 23 points. 
KNOCKING OFF NUMBER ONE – The TALLAHASSSEE COLLEGE EAGLES (should be the Laddies) hosted the number 1 team in the nation – the CHIPOLA COLLEGE INDIANS. At Halftime the score was knotted up at 24-24 but after the break the Eagles made their move, ultimately toppling the Indians 62-54. Tallahassee’s Addison Patterson led the victors with 13 points. 
CENTURY CLUB – Teams notching 100 or more points in Regulation: The ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE MATADORS downed the PHOENIX COLLEGE BEARS 109-80 ### Meanwhile, the LEE COLLEGE REBELS won 111-78 at the JACKSONVILLE COLLEGE JAGUARS ### And the INDIAN RIVER STATE PIONEERS routed their hosts the STATE COLLEGE OF FLORIDA MANATEES 103-69. 
Balladeer's Blog 