*** NCAA DIVISION TWO ***
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The two teams still standing in this tournament were the 2 seeds – the AUGUSTANA (SD) COLLEGE VIKINGS and the lone remaining 1 seed – the LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY RAILSPLITTERS. The Vikings put the Railsplitters in unfamiliar territory by being on top of them 43-38 at Halftime. After the break Augustana College inched further and further away from Lincoln Memorial University, ultimately winning the game by a score of 90-81. Daniel Jansen of the Vikings notched 25 points and 9 rebounds. * THE VIKINGS ARE NCAA DIVISION TWO CHAMPIONS * Continue reading
FIRST SEMIFINAL – The top seeded LINCOLN MEMORIAL UNIVERSITY RAILSPLITTERS squared off against the 4 seeds – the WEST LIBERTY STATE HILLTOPPERS. Points flew like shrapnel in this game, which the Railsplitters led 54-53 at Halftime. Following the break the Hilltoppers continued giving LMU a thorough challenge but in the end the Railsplitters triumphed by a Century Club level score of 103-102. Gerel Simmons put up THIRTY-FIVE points for the victors.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – You can’t get much more exciting than a game-winning shot in Overtime right at the buzzer. Malcolm Mann made that shot to bring its first National Championship to the 4th seeded MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS! The Evangels triumphed over the top seeded GEORGETOWN (KY) COLLEGE TIGERS in a genuine hardcourt classic.
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 *
FINAL FOUR – FIRST BERTH – The 8 seeds – the GILLETTE COLLEGE PRONGHORNS – stunned the nation yesterday with their upset win over the top seeded TRINITY VALLEY COLLEGE CARDINALS. The Pronghorns led the Cardinals in this Battle Royal by a slender margin of 36-34 at Halftime. After the break the action was just as fierce, but in the end Gillette College walked away with an 87-83 victory. Kavell Bigby- Williams led the Pronghorns into the Final Four with a Double- Double of 19 points and 20 rebounds.
FINAL FOUR – SECOND BERTH – This game pitted the 7 seeds – the HUTCHINSON COLLEGE BLUE DRAGONS – against the 2nd seeded NORTHWEST FLORIDA STATE RAIDERS, the defending national champions. The Blue Dragons set the hardcourt on fire with an upset of their own, clubbing the Raiders into submission by a score of 55-28 at the midpoint. In the 2nd Half both teams scored in the 60s as Hutchinson College advanced to the Final Four with a Century Club level tally of 116-90. Samajae Haynes-Jones tossed in 33 points for the Blue Dragons.
DAY ONE – GAME ONE – This Region’s 4 seeds – the MID-AMERICA CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY EVANGELS – played the 5th seeded PARK UNIVERSITY PIRATES. It would be tough to beat this game for tip-off to final buzzer intensity. The game was tied 13 times and the lead was exchanged 8 times as the Evangels eked out a 42-40 lead at Halftime and then went on to win by a final score of 88-86. Bryon Miller led Mid-America Christian in scoring with 26 points.
DAY ONE – GAME TWO – The TALLADEGA COLLEGE TORNADOES came in as the 2 seed and faced the 7th seeded WESTMONT COLLEGE WARRIORS. The Tornadoes got almost more than they could handle from the Warriors, who actually led Talladega College 33-31 at the break. In the 2nd Half the Tornadoes came from behind for a tight 63-61 victory led by Nigel Jones’ Double- Double of 20 points and 11 rebounds.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME – The lone remaining 2 seeds – the INDIANA WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY WILDCATS – fought for the championship against the lone remaining 1 seeds – the UNIVERSITY OF SAINT FRANCIS (IN) COUGARS. Yes, it was an all Crossroads League title tilt as these two familiar foes fought it out. The Wildcats held a 32-26 lead at Halftime but had to hold off a furious 2nd Half rally by the Cougars for a 69-66 triumph! Bob Peters tossed in 20 points to lead Indiana Wesleyan to its second title in three years. * THE WILDCATS ARE CHAMPIONS OF NAIA DIVISION TWO *