NCAA DIVISION TWO
ELITE EIGHT: FIRST BERTH – One of the remaining 1 seeds – the POINT LOMA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY SEA LIONS – took on the 3rd seeded SAINT MARTIN’S UNIVERSITY SAINTS. The Sea Lions put up 30 points in the 1st Half compared to the 24 scored by the Saints. In the 2nd Half the teams notched another 30 points each, giving Point Loma Nazarene University a 60-54 victory. Daulton Hommes led the Sea Lions with 25 points.
ELITE EIGHT: SECOND BERTH – The 4th seeded UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN INDIANA SCREAMING EAGLES did battle with their Region’s 2 seeds – the BELLARMINE UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS. The Screaming Eagles seemed doomed to defeat at Halftime, trailing the Knights 42-26. However, from there USI outscored Bellarmine U 50-27 for a 76-69 comeback Upset. Twenty-seven points from Alex Stein led the Screaming Eagles.
ELITE EIGHT: THIRD BERTH – Another remaining 1 seed – the NOVA SOUTHEASTERN UNIVERSITY SHARKS – went up against the 3rd seeded LYNN UNIVERSITY FIGHTING KNIGHTS. The Sharks methodically parlayed a 44-39 Halftime advantage into a comfortable 89-74 triumph. Nova Southeastern University was led by David Dennis with his 28 points. Continue reading
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – Tipping off the 2019 National Tournament for the NJCAA Division One was this clash between the 17 seeds – the CAPE FEAR COLLEGE SEA DEVILS – and the 16th seeded ARIZONA WESTERN COLLEGE MATADORS. The Sea Devils led 48-40 at Halftime, following which points continued to fly like shrapnel. In the end Cape Fear College defeated the Matadors by a Century Club-level score of 104-90. JJ Miles put up 28 points to lead the Sea Devils.
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – Next the 20th seeded KASKASKIA COLLEGE BLUE ANGELS faced the 13 seeds – the SHERIDAN COLLEGE GENERALS. The Blue Angels put the Generals on Upset Alert by the break with their 47-37 advantage. From there Kaskaskia College managed to eke out just an inch more separation to win the game 92-80. Parker Dortch couldn’t lose, leading the way for the Blue Angels with his 21 points.
DAY THREE, GAME TWO – The 2nd seeded AUGUSTA UNIVERSITY JAGUARS faced the 3 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA AT AIKEN PACERS. The Pacers were leading 37-28 at the break but the Jaguars roared back to force Overtime with an 84-84 tie. In the extra session Augusta University won it 93-89. Tyvez Monroe led the Jaguars with 21 points.
DAY THREE, GAME THREE – This game pitted another 1 seed – the QUEENS UNIVERSITY OF CHARLOTTE ROYALS – against the 4th seeded CATAWBA COLLEGE INDIANS. The Royals had compiled a 44-35 advantage by the midpoint but then had to hold on tight for a 96-93 victory. Daniel Carr put up THIRTY-THREE points to lead Queens University of Charlotte.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeded CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS faced the 2 seeds – the ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE REDHAWKS – for the title in the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association). The opening Half was a defensive epic which ended with the teams tied up at 26-26. After the break the Yellow Jackets mustered a bit of separation from the Redhawks for a 64-58 victory. Conner TenHove’s 14 points led Cedarville U. * THE YELLOW JACKETS ARE NCCAA CHAMPIONS *
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this Tournament were the 2 seeds – the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS – and the 5th seeded ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE GOLDEN EAGLES. An Upset seemed to be in the offing as the Golden Eagles led 37-31 at Halftime. From there the Generals came from behind to win the game by a comfortable 72-60. Herkimer College ends the season with one lone loss. * THE GENERALS ARE CHAMPIONS OF NJCAA DIVISION THREE *
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The SWARTHMORE COLLEGE GARNET clashed with the CHRISTOPHER NEWPORT UNIVERSITY CAPTAINS as D3’s Final Four action commenced. The Garnet led the Captains by a Lucky 7 points, 36-29, come Halftime and then maintained that advantage for a 70-63 triumph. Cam Wiley put up 23 points to lead Swarthmore College.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN AT OSHKOSH TITANS against the WHEATON (IL) COLLEGE THUNDER. By the midpoint the Titans were on top of the Thunder by a score of 46-41. From there UW-Oshkosh went on to win it by a Centennial Club-level 104-85. The victors were led by Jack Flynn’s Double Double of 21 points and 15 rebounds.
DAY ONE, GAME TWO – The 2nd seeded ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE REDHAWKS clashed with the 7 seed – the PIEDMONT INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY BRUINS (formerly the Conquerors). The Redhawks were clinging to a close 34-31 edge at the Half. After the break Roberts Wesleyan College squeezed out a bit more separation from the Bruins to win it 70-60. Peyton McLaurin led the Redhawks with his 23 points.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The SPRING ARBOR UNIVERSITY COUGARS went up against the OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS for the title in NAIA Division Two. The Cougars wound up on top of the Hustlin’ Owls 44-35 by Halftime. In the 2nd Half Oregon Tech inched a little bit closer but was ultimately left behind as Spring Arbor U won it 82-76. Brandon Durnell led the victors with THIRTY-TWO points. * THE COUGARS ARE CHAMPIONS OF NAIA DIVISION TWO *
DISTRICT 203 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 3 seeds – the MILWAUKEE AREA TECHNICAL COLLEGE STORMERS – faced the top seeded SOUTH SUBURBAN COLLEGE BULLDOGS. The Stormers put the Bulldogs on Upset Alert with a 39-37 edge at the break, then carried through on the deal, winning the game by a score of 75-72. Twenty-three points from Shannon Stanford led Milwaukee Area Tech. * THE STORMERS ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT *
DISTRICT 207 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this matchup the DAKOTA COUNTY TECH BLUE KNIGHTS clashed with the SOUTHEAST (NE) COLLEGE STORM. By the midpoint of the game the Blue Knights had eked out a 41-39 lead over the Storm. After the break the two teams went basket for basket, scoring 43 more points each as Dakota County Tech won an 84-82 Instant Classic. Dashawn Walker tossed in 23 points to lead the victors. * THE BLUE KNIGHTS ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT *
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS played the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES in Final Four action. The Hustlin’ Owls had the Coyotes on the ropes by Halftime with a massive 52-29 lead. After the break Oregon Tech weathered a minor College of Idaho rally to defeat them 93-81. Seth Erickson put up 27 points to lead the Hustlin’ Owls.
DISTRICT TWO CHAMPIONSHIP – The NORTHEASTERN OKLAHOMA A&M GOLDEN NORSEMEN fought the CONNORS STATE COWBOYS. The Golden Norsemen held a 38-29 advantage at the break but the Cowboys wouldn’t go away and even held a few late leads before Northeastern Oklahoma A&M won the game 67-65 off a Rudi Williams jumper with 1.6 seconds to play. Kyle Lukasiewicz and Samkelo Cole led the way with 16 points each. * THE GOLDEN NORSEMEN ADVANCE TO THE NJCAA NATIONAL TOURNAMENT *
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.
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 *