Balladeer’s Blog offers one last round of congratulations to the 2017 college basketball champions in the FOURTEEN divisions covered here.
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION ONE
National Champions – TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY RAMS
Runners-Up – Life University Running Eagles
2016 Champions – Mid-America Christian University Evangels
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION TWO
National Champions – UNION COLLEGE BULLDOGS
Runners-Up – Cornerstone University Golden Eagles
2016 Champions – Indiana Wesleyan University Wildcats Continue reading
FINAL FOUR, FIRST BERTH – It took DOUBLE OVERTIME for a winner to be determined in this particular game. The 5 seeds – the GRACE COLLEGE LANCERS – took on the 4th seeded CENTRAL BAPTIST COLLEGE MUSTANGS. 
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The 4th seeded RANDALL UNIVERSITY SAINTS – the defending National Champions – faced the 7th seeded KENTUCKY CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY KNIGHTS for the 2017 title. 
FINAL FOUR, FIRST BERTH – The (6) BELLEVUE UNIVERSITY BRUINS battled the (1) BETHEL (IN) COLLEGE PILOTS (Riverboat Pilots) for a berth in the 2017 Final Four. 
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION ONE 
NAIA (National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics) DIVISION TWO 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The last two teams standing in this tourney were the top seeded EMMANUEL COLLEGE LIONS and the 2nd seeded SOUTHWESTERN CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EAGLES. The Lions calmly went about gaining control of the game, building up a 39-29 lead over the Eagles by Halftime. Southwestern Christian University eroded that advantage a little during the 2nd Half but ultimately Emmanuel College retained just enough distance for a 75-68 victory. Kurtis Robinson led the Lions with 16 points. * THE LIONS ARE NCCAA TOURNAMENT CHAMPIONS * 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – It was virtually all Cinderellas left in this tournament for the past couple rounds. The title game pitted the 13th seeded SALT LAKE CITY COLLEGE BRUINS against the 7 seeds – the HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS. True to form for this year the underdog Bruins contained the Blue Dragons and led 42-27 by the break. From there Salt Lake City stayed on top for a 74-64 triumph. Connor Toolson tossed in 28 points to lead the victors. * THE BRUINS ARE NJCAA DIVISION ONE CHAMPIONS * 
ELITE EIGHT – FIRST BERTH – The 4 seeds in their Region – the MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS – played Bracket Busters yesterday in their game against the top seeded BIOLA (CA) UNIVERSITY EAGLES. The Evangels once again proved how dangerous it is to underestimate them and by Halftime were on top of the shell-shocked Eagles 49-30! After the break Biola University inched closer and closer to their opponents but Mid-America Christian University kept them at arm’s length for an 88-80 upset win. Devonse Reed led the Evangels with 27 points. 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top seeded HILLSDALE FREE WILL BAPTIST COLLEGE SAINTS did battle with the 3 seeds – the GRACE BIBLE COLLEGE TIGERS – for the NCCAA title. The 1st Half ended with the Saints holding a 43-35 lead but the Tigers came roaring back to force Overtime through a 77-77 tie to end Regulation. In the extra session Hillsdale thoroughly outperformed Grace and won the game 97-84. Trey Sneed led the Saints with 27 points and 9 rebounds and his teammate Antonio Wilson contributed 26 points of his own. * THE SAINTS ARE NCCAA2 CHAMPIONS * 
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The top two seeds in this Tournament faced each other for the 2016 Championship. The 1 seeds – the ROCK VALLEY COLLEGE GOLDEN EAGLES – managed a slender 41-39 Halftime lead over the 2nd seeded ROCHESTER TECHNICAL COLLEGE YELLOW JACKETS. After the break the Golden Eagles steadily put more distance between themselves and the Yellow Jackets, ultimately winning by a score of 88-75. Rock Valley College was led to their second title in three years by L.T. Davis with 25 points. * THE GOLDEN EAGLES ARE NJCAA3 CHAMPIONS * 
ELITE EIGHT – FIRST BERTH – There was a mild upset in this game as the 7 seeds – the INDIANA UNIVERSITY- EAST RED WOLVES surprised the 6th seeded VALLEY CITY STATE VIKINGS. By Halftime the Red Wolves had Vikings fans nervous as they held a 41-35 advantage. After the break IU-East slowly but surely managed a bit more separation and ultimately defeated Valley City State 81-69. Vasha Davis led the Red Wolves with his 19 points. 
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