NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) DIVISION ONE
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 2nd seeded WARRIORS from NELSON UNIVERSITY AT ARIZONA (formerly Nelson American Indian College) fought it out with the top seeds – the COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY RAMS. Come Halftime things were knotted up at 43-43, but after the break the Warriors asserted themselves, pulling away from CIU for an 89-74 triumph. Harley Upton’s 24 points led NU-Arizona, while teammate Rob Jenkins logged a Double Double of 20 points & 11 rebounds.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics)
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. Continue reading
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.
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 4 seeds – the CROWN COLLEGE POLARS – faced the 5th seeded GRACE CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY TIGERS. GCU was on top of the Polars 39-33 by Halftime, but Crown College came out of the locker room ready for a comeback. In the end the Polars triumphed 74-69 led by 24 points from Tyrus Buckner.
SECOND QUARTERFINAL – The 3rd seeded MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER took the court against the 6 seeds – the CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY AT HARRODSBURG PIONEERS. At the Half the score was knotted up 38-38. From there the Thunder squeezed out a little separation from the Pioneers for a 72-69 victory. Xavier Lucas led MCC with 20 points.
“THERE CAN BE ONLY ONE” – The HOUGHTON UNIVERSITY HIGHLANDERS welcomed the KEUKA COLLEGE WOLVES. A frenzied opening Half ended with the Highlanders on top 48-41. During the 2nd Half the Wolves bit into that lead but fell short as Houghton University held on for an 84-81 victory. Jajuan Preaster and Christian Sage led the Highlanders with 17 points each.
DOUSING D.C. – The ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE REDHAWKS doused some cold water on their hosts the UNIVERSITY OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA FIREBIRDS. The Firebirds held a 37-34 edge at Halftime but the Redhawks mounted a comeback after the break. Roberts Wesleyan won 77-70. Malik Brooks led the Redhawks with 29 points.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeds – the CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS – took on the 2nd seeded WAYLAND BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PIONEERS (should be Flying Ws) in this title tilt.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this Division were the top seeded CROWN COLLEGE POLAR BEARS and the 3 seeds – the NORTH CENTRAL UNIVERSITY RAMS.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was a case of Lion-on-Lion violence as the FREED-HARDEMAN UNIVERSITY LIONS did battle with the LANGSTON UNIVERSITY LIONS (should be Hugheses) for the title.
FIRST QUARTERFINAL – The 6 seeds – the SAGU-AMERICAN INDIAN COLLEGE WARRIORS – had a surprise in store for the 3rd seeded MISSION UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS.
NAIA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – Fighting it out for the National Championship in the NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) were the COLLEGE OF IDAHO COYOTES and the INDIANA TECH WARRIORS (should be Hoplites).
NCCAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The BETHEL (IN) PILOTS (riverboat pilots) faced the CLINTON COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS for the National Championship of the NCCAA (National Christian College Athletic Association) Division One.
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.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4 seeds – the BAPTIST BIBLE COLLEGE PATRIOTS – took on the 2nd seeded LANCASTER BIBLE COLLEGE CHARGERS in this title game.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – This game pitted the TALLADEGA COLLEGE TORNADOES against the THOMAS MORE UNIVERSITY SAINTS.