Balladeer’s Blog gives one last shoutout to this year’s college basketball champions in the 13 divisions covered here.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
National Champions – COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES
Runners-Up – Oklahoma Wesleyan University Eagles
2024 Champions – Freed-Hardeman University Lions
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) DIVISION ONE
National Champions – NELSON AMERICAN INDIAN UNIVERSITY WARRIORS
Runners-Up – Columbia International University Rams
2024 Champions – Cedarville University Yellow Jackets Continue reading
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing were the MOHAWK VALLEY COLLEGE HAWKS (should be Mohawks) and the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS. Defense was the name of the game as Halftime found the Hawks on top of Herkimer College by a mere 27-16. After the break the Generals outscored MVC 35-31 but still lost the game 58-51. Isaiah Earl led the Hawks with a Double Double of 15 points and 10 rebounds. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The KIRKWOOD COLLEGE EAGLES and the PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS clashed for this title. The entire game was a defensive epic, with the Eagles on top 29-24 at Halftime before holding on tight against a Cobras rally from there. The final score was Kirkwood 55 Parkland 54. Germaine Benson led the victors with 12 points. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – In this game the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS took on the RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS. The defenses dominated the opening Half as the Thunderducks led Herkimer College by a mere 22-19 at the break. The Generals came alive in the 2nd Half, winning the game 72-59. Jayson McGhee tossed in 25 points to lead HC and his teammate Oladele Oladitan logged a Double Double of 20 points and 15 rebounds. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS and the CONNORS STATE COWBOYS squared off against each other for this division’s crown. The teams went basket for basket in the opening Half, which ended in a 32-32 tie. After the break the Cardinals pulled away from the Cowboys for a 69-61 triumph. Zati Loubaki and Garrett Nuckolls led TVC with 17 points each. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – In this game the PARKLAND COLLEGE COBRAS faced the PIMA COLLEGE AZTECS. Come Halftime the Cobras were on top of Pima College 44-38. From there Parkland College left the Aztecs further and further behind to win the game 95-74. Adam Squire led the Cobras with 23 points while teammate Jaden Martin logged a Double Double of 13 points and 10 rebounds. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It all came down to the TRINITY (CT) BANTAMS fighting it out with the NEW YORK UNIVERSITY VIOLETS. The Violets were threatening an Upset with their 30-27 Halftime edge but Trinity College came out of the locker room ready for a comeback. The Bantams went on to win the game 64-60 led by 20 points from Jarrel Okorougo. Teammate Drew (not Rem) Lazarre logged a Double Double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. 
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The CONNORS STATE COWBOYS played the SOUTH PLAINS COLLEGE TEXANS. The Cowboys put SPC on Upset Alert at the Half as they led 40-28. From there Connors State carried through, holding on against a Texans rally for an 80-74 triumph. Twenty-eight points from D.J. Dormu led the Cowboys to victory. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
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