Balladeer’s Blog offers one last round of congratulations to the 2019 college basketball champions in the divisions covered here.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION ONE
National Champions – GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS
Runners-Up – Carroll College (MT) Fighting Saints
2018 Champions – Graceland University Yellowjackets
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION TWO
National Champions – SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COUGARS
Runners-Up – Oregon Tech Hustlin’ Owls
2018 Champions – Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats
NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) DIVISION ONE
National Champions – CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS
Runners-Up – Roberts Wesleyan College Redhawks
2018 Champions – Emmanuel College Lions Continue reading
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeded NORTHWEST MISSOURI STATE BEARCATS were trying to win the title AND remain undefeated for the entire Season as they clashed with the 6 seeds – the POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 6 seeds – the POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS – took the court against the 7th seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA SCREAMING EAGLES. This battle royal had a Halftime score of 31-30 with the Sea Lions on top. From there Point Loma Nazarene University outscored their opponents 50-41 for an 81-71 victory. Twenty points from Daulton Hommes led the Sea Lions.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the 7th seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA SCREAMING EAGLES did battle with the 2 seeds – the WEST TEXAS A&M BUFFALOES. Another Upset was in the offing here as a 46-34 Halftime lead for the Screaming Eagles ultimately became a 94-84 victory. Alex Stein tossed in THIRTY-ONE points to lead the University of Southern Indiana.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – With last night’s NAIA title game in the books the only divisions left to report on are NCAA Division Two and AIHEC Division One. Yesterday the GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS did battle with the CARROLL COLLEGE (MT) FIGHTING SAINTS for the NAIA crown.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this Tournament were the 3 seeds – the VINCENNES UNIVERSITY TRAILBLAZERS – and the Cinderella 8th seeded RANGER COLLEGE RANGERS. The Trailblazers had things firmly in hand with a 50-34 Halftime advantage over the Rangers, then coasted to an 87-77 triumph. Kevin Osawe led Vincennes University with a Double Double of 22 points and 10 rebounds. * THE TRAILBLAZERS ARE NJCAA CHAMPIONS *
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeded KIRKWOOD COLLEGE EAGLES took on the 2 seeds – the JOHNSON COUNTY COLLEGE CAVALIERS – for the NJCAA Division Two national title. The Eagles were on top of the Cavaliers 33-26 at the break. From there Johnson County College could only cut into Kirkwood’s lead by a fraction. The final score was Eagles 64 Cavaliers 58. Kirkwood College was led by Doug Wilson’s Double Double of THIRTY points and 15 rebounds. * THE EAGLES ARE CHAMPIONS OF NJCAA DIVISION TWO *
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – In this game the WILLIAM CAREY UNIVERSITY CRUSADERS clashed with the UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & ARTS OF OKLAHOMA DROVERS. The Drovers were threatening an Upset at the midpoint with their 51-40 lead. The Crusaders came storming back from there to force Overtime with an 86-86 tie. In the extra session William Carey University emerged with a 102-98 victory. Twenty-one points from Javontae McDavid led the Crusaders.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 8th seeded RANGER COLLEGE RANGERS took the court against the 4 seeds – the COFFEYVILLE COLLEGE RED RAVENS. The Rangers provided another Upset, leading the Red Ravens 38-30 at the Half before polishing them off 84-61. Brayan Au led Ranger College with his 27 points.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the JOHNSON COUNTY COLLEGE CAVALIERS – found themselves facing the 14th seeded CECIL COLLEGE SEAHAWKS. The Cavaliers were chasing the Seahawks 29-28 at the end of a defense-oriented opening Half. From there Johnson County College came back to force Overtime with a 68-68 tie. In the extra session the Cavaliers emerged with an 81-78 victory. Twenty three points from General Williams led Johnson County College.
FINAL FOUR: SECOND BERTH – In this game the 4th seeded COFFEYVILLE COLLEGE RED RAVENS did battle with the 5 seeds – the NORTH CENTRAL MISSOURI PIRATES. A 32-31 Halftime edge for the Pirates wound up as a 60-60 tie to end Regulation. In Overtime the Red Ravens emerged with a 67-66 triumph. Keon Queen led Coffeyville with a Double Double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The LSU-SHREVEPORT PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) clashed with the WILLIAM JESSUP UNIVERSITY WARRIORS. The Pilots were chasing the Warriors 32-29 at Halftime but outscored them 54-33 after the break for an 83-65 comeback win. LSU-Shreveport was led by Jeff Garrett with his Double Double of 20 points and 13 rebounds.
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – In this game the ARIZONA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY FIRESTORM took on the WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS (should be the Flying W’s). The Firestorm held a slight 41-40 edge at the Half then left the Pioneers a bit further behind to defeat them 81-73. Callum Lawson led the way for Arizona Christian University with a Double Double of 23 points and 11 rebounds.
DAY ONE, GAME THREE – The WILLIAM PENN UNIVERSITY STATESMEN faced the VANGUARD UNIVERSITY LIONS. The defenses dominated in the opening Half, which ended with the Statesmen clinging to a 29-28 lead. After the break William Penn U got some more separation from the Lions for a 69-53 victory. Sixteen points from Abrian Edwards led the way for the Statesmen.