NCAA 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.
NJCAA DIVISION THREE
FIRST SEMIFINAL – In the 2 spot the HERKIMER COLLEGE GENERALS tangled with the 3rd seeded RICHLAND COLLEGE THUNDERDUCKS. Smothering defense was the key to the opening Half, which ended with the Generals up 27-21. After the break the Thunderducks could only edge an inch closer as Herkimer College emerged with a 63-59 triumph. Derrick Felder led the Generals with 17 points. Continue reading
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 2 seeds – the ROBERTS WESLEYAN COLLEGE REDHAWKS – took the court against the 3rd seeded HANNIBAL-LAGRANGE UNIVERSITY TROJANS. The Redhawks found themselves chasing the Trojans at Halftime as they faced a 35-22 deficit. After the break Roberts Wesleyan College mounted a massive comeback, winning the game 63-61 led by 19 points from Peyton McLaurin.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – Up next the top seeded CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS clashed with the 4 seeds – the BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS. The Yellow Jackets put up 36 points in each Half, leading the Rambling Rams 36-27 at the midpoint before winning it by a final tally of 72-59. Conner TenHove tossed in 20 points to lead Cedarville U.
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 *
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The OREGON TECH HUSTLIN’ OWLS clashed with the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS. An action-packed 1st Half ended with the Hustlin’ Owls holding a 47-44 edge over the Wildcats. After the break Oregon Tech got more and more separation, ultimately winning the game by a Century Club level score of 107-93. Mitchell Fink notched THIRTY-FOUR points to lead the Hustlin’ Owls.
SECOND SEMIFINAL – In this game the 7th seeded BLUEFIELD STATE BIG BLUES took the court against the 3 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON COLLEGE (Buffalo) BOBCATS. The Big Blues put the Bobcats on Upset Alert at the break with their 28-26 edge. In the 2nd Half Bluefield State mustered a tad more separation to win the game 65-62. Twenty-eight points from Korey Williams led the Big Blues.
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The 4 seeds – the GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE CRUSADERS – squared off against the 8th seeded MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS. By the midpoint of the game the Crusaders were in control with a 40-28 advantage over the Sabercats. From there Great Lakes Christian College methodically left Maranatha Baptist further and further behind, ultimately defeating them 81-61. Isiah Reed of the Crusaders tossed in 20 points to lead his team.
DAY ONE, GAME ONE – The 3 seeds – the BRYANT & STRATTON (Buffalo) BOBCATS – played the 6th seeded CLINTON COLLEGE GOLDEN BEARS to tip off the Division One Tournament in the USCAA (United States Collegiate Athletic Association). By Halftime the Golden Bears had spooked the Bobcats with a 38-29 lead but after the break Bryant & Stratton came roaring from behind to win the game 80-73. Nicc (sic) Johnson’s 19 points led the Bobcats.
KANSAS COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC CONFERENCE: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – In this tournament’s title tilt the 2 seeds – the SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE MOUNDBUILDERS – took the court against the top seeded OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. The Moundbuilders were chasing the Eagles 36-34 at Halftime but outscored them 44-39 after the break for a 78-75 Upset. Cameron Hunt led Southwestern College with his Double Double of 29 points and 12 rebounds. * THE MOUNDBUILDERS ARE CHAMPIONS OF THE KCAC TOURNAMENT *
MIDEAST REGION: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded JOHNSON UNIVERSITY (TN) ROYALS (formerly the Preachers) played the 2 seeds – the GREAT LAKES CHRISTIAN COLLEGE LAKERS. The Lakers were on top 40-32 at the break but from there the Royals came storming back to win the game 84-78. Coby Jones’ 19 points led Johnson University. * THE ROYALS ADVANCE TO THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT *
NORTH REGION: CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – This was a battle of chalk versus a Cinderella. The top seeds – the MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS – did battle with the 6th seeded MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE ARCHERS. The Archers, hoping for one more Upset, were hanging around, trailing the Sabercats by just 40-35 at Halftime. After the break Maranatha Baptist University put more and more separation between themselves and Moody Bible Institute for a 72-58 triumph. Jonathan Book’s Double Double of 19 points and 11 rebounds led the victors. * THE SABERCATS ADVANCE TO THE NATIONAL TOURNAMENT *
6. MANHATTAN CHRISTIAN COLLEGE THUNDER ### 7. MARANATHA BAPTIST UNIVERSITY SABERCATS ### 8. ARLINGTON BAPTIST UNIVERSITY PATRIOTS ### 9. JOHNSON UNIVERSITY (TN) ROYALS (Formerly the Preachers) ### 10. KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS ###
NCCAA – 1. BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) ### 2. OKLAHOMA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES ### 3. WARNER UNIVERSITY ROYALS ### 4. EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS ### 5. CAMPBELLSVILLE UNIVERSITY TIGERS ###
6. MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS ### 7. COLLEGE OF THE OZARKS BOBCATS ### 8. SOUTHWESTERN ASSEMBLIES OF GOD UNIVERSITY LIONS ### 9. CEDARVILLE UNIVERSITY YELLOW JACKETS ### 10. BLUEFIELD COLLEGE RAMBLING RAMS ###
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top two seeds were the last teams standing in this tournament. The 2 seeds – the EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS – went up against the top seeded SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES.
FINAL FOUR: FIRST BERTH – The 4 seeds – the LSU-ALEXANDRIA GENERALS – took the court against the 3rd seeded GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS. (I’ve told you over and over that there are WAY too many college teams called Tigers.)