USCAA Basketball National Championships: Day Two Recaps
#1 Central Maine Community College 56 - #4 Berkeley College (NY) 48
In the second semi-final game of the Women’s Division II bracket, number one overall seed Central Maine Community College defeated fourth-seeded Berkeley College of New York, 56-48, to advance to the 2014 USCAA Women’s Division II National Basketball Championship.
Each team used full court defensive pressure, forcing the other to shoot poorly. Berkeley College-New York finished the game shooting just 20% (15-74) while Central Maine finished at 31% (20-65) from the floor. Central Maine jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead to begin the game and would use that run to go into halftime up 32-22. In the second half, the cold shooting continued for each team, but the Mustangs were able to make shots when they counted and stop the Knights each time they tried to make a run.
USCAA 1st Team All-American, Susie French, led the way for the Mustangs as she poured in a game high 22 points along with 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals to continue her impressive performance during the tournament.
Pacing the Knights was USCAA 2nd Team All-American, Milan Germany, who recorded a double-double, posting 20 points and 16 rebounds to go along with 6 steals. Berkeley College-New York ends their season at 14-7.
The Mustangs will face #2 University of Cincinnati-Clermont in the second ever Women's Division II National Championship game on Saturday at 4:00 PM in the Main Arena.
#4 Berkeley College-New York 77 - #5 Penn State Beaver 75
In the last game of the day in the Women’s Division II bracket, fourth-seeded Berkeley College-New York defeated fifth-seeded Penn State Beaver in an overtime thriller, 77-75.
After back and forth action throughout the first half, Penn State Beaver would go into halftime with a 9-point lead over Berkeley College, 39-30. Penn State Beaver would continue to increase their lead early in the second half and would see it grow to as much as 14 with fourteen minutes left in the game. The Knights would use their pressure defense to get back into the game, forcing 30 Lions turnovers and turning them into 27 points. In overtime, Penn State Beaver jumped out to an early 4-point lead but the Knights defensive pressure came through and allowed to Knights to ultimately gut out a 77-75 victory.
The Knights were led by multiple players throughout the night. USCAA 2nd Team All-American, Aiyesha Brown, recorded 25 points, 6 steals, and 3 rebounds. Also pouring in with 25 points was junior guard, Janay Thomas. USCAA 2nd Team All-American, Milan Germany, finished the game with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Leading the way for Penn State Beaver was USCAA Honorable Mention All-American, Cassandra Flowers, who shattered the record for most rebounds in a game at the Women’s Division II Tournament with 23. The previous record was held by Germany, who had 15 against Albany College of Pharmacy during the 2013 National Championship Tournament. Flowers added 20 points, 4 blocks, and 2 steals.
Berkeley College-New York now moves on to face #1 Central Maine Community College on Friday at 9:00 PM in the Main Arena. Penn State Beaver will play in the consolation bracket against Warren Wilson College in the Maltho gymnasium Friday at 4:00 PM.
#6 Tennessee Temple University 73 - #7 The Apprentice School 59
The first 2014 National Championship game is set. In their first appearance at the USCAA Basketball National Championships, the #6 Tennessee Temple University Crusaders have advanced to the Men’s Division I finals after a 73-59 victory over The Apprentice School Builders.
The very first play of the game would set the tone for a first-half that was dominated by the Crusaders. Less than a minute underway, Weedllens Beauvil dropped a three-pointer from the corner that served as a precursor to his 5-7 start from three-point range in the first half. He would end up leading the Crusaders in scoring with 18 points. USCAA Honorable Mention All-American Elliot Johnson added 9 points and 15 rebounds while Darius Davis chipped in 16 points.
The biggest difference in the game may have been the play of the Crusaders bench, led by Davis. Tennessee Temple’s bench outscored The Apprentice School 37-16. The Apprentice School struggled from the field, shooting only 28.4% on the night. Johnnie Ferebee was the only Builder to break double-digits in scoring, finishing with 17 points (6-18). Jay Melendez added 8 points and 12 rebounds.
Tennessee Temple University will have a day off before facing #4 Washington Adventist University in the Men’s Division I National Championship game. The Apprentice School finish their season 16-10. Click here for information regarding the time of the Men’s Division I National Championship game.
#1 Central Maine Community College 79 - #8 Warren Wilson College 58
The #1 Central Maine Community College Mustangs defeated the eighth-seeded Warren Wilson College Owls, 79-58, in Women’s Division II quarterfinal action.
The Mustangs used full court pressure to force 24 Owl turnovers that led to 32 points. The Owls were able to keep it close throughout the first half and go into halftime down only 6 points, 39-33. The Mustangs would open up the score with a 9-0 run to push the lead to double digits early in the second half and then put it on cruise control as they kept a double digit lead for the remainder of the contest.
Central Maine was led by freshmen guard Samantha Bruce, who scored 23 points on 6-9 shooting. USCAA 1st Team All-American Susie French chipped in with 20 points, 8 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, and a blocked shot. Leading the Owls was sophomore center Lilvia Bradbury, with a double-double as she scored 20 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and recorded 3 blocked shots.
Central Maine Community College moves on to face the winner of the 4/5 matchup between Berkeley College-New York and Penn State Beaver on Friday at 9:00 PM in the Main Arena. Warren Wilson College moves onto the consolation portion of the tournament to face the loser of that game on Friday in Maltho at 4:00 PM.
#1 Daemen College 57 - #4 Washington Adventist University 58
The first 2014 Basketball National Championship participant has been crowned. A layup from 2nd Team All-American Eric Lindsey with 55 seconds left lifted #4 Washington Adventist University to a 58-57 victory over #1 Daemen College in the Men’s Division I semifinals.
Following Lindsey’s layup, Daemen College’s Casey Sheehan and Mark Copolla had chances to hit go-ahead three-pointers that didn’t fall. Copolla’s would-be game winner would hit front iron and send the Washington Adventist Shock into celebration and a berth in the Men’s Division I finals.
The Shock were paced by Martin Wilson’s 20 point effort. Anthony Berry secured 15 rebounds, Tyrus Fleetwood grabbed 10 rebounds, and Lindsey put up 14 points in the total team effort. The Washington Adventist defense did a particularly good job limiting USCAA 1st Team All-American Gerald Beverly, who scored just 12 points on the heels of his 40 point explosion in the quarterfinals.
Uchechi Ogbonna led the Daemen College Wildcats with 15 points and 9 rebounds. Kadeem Johnson contributed 15 points of his own with 8 rebounds. As a team, the Wildcats shot just 2-18 from the three-point line. Washington Adventist University will face the winner of #6 Tennessee Temple University versus #7 The Apprentice School in the Men’s Division I National Championship game on Saturday*.
*Game time to be announced.
#1 Central Maine Community College 101 - #8 Penn State Beaver 103
In perhaps the closest contested game of the tournament thus far, #8 Penn State Beaver upset the number one overall seed in USCAA Men's Division II Basketball, Central Maine Community College in overtime, 103-101.
In a game that featured 17 lead changes and 15 ties, it would come down to free throws late. A total of 100 free throws were attempted, with the Lions going 44 of 56 and the Mustangs going 26 of 44. The Lions hit a crucial free throw at the end of regulation to send the game into overtime. Down three in overtime, the Mustangs were fouled on a corner three with .3 seconds remaining to send freshmen forward Kazre Cummings to the line. Cummings would miss the first two free throws, leading to the Penn State Beaver victory.
Leading the Lions in the upset was USCAA 1st Team All-American Rob Agurs, who finished with 38 points, 15 rebounds, and 8 steals. Agurs broke the record for most free throws made and attempted in the USCAA National Men's Division II Championship Tournament by going 19 of 27. Agurs had set that same record just yesterday by going 16 of 22 in Beaver's first round game. Fellow USCAA 1st Team All-American, Nick Miller, added 31 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 5 steals for the Lions. Miller also went perfect from the charity stripe with 16 free throws.
Leading the way for the Mustangs was freshmen guard Shaun Hill, who broke the scoring record in the USCAA Men's Division II Championship Tournament with 46 points. The previous record was set earlier today by Tyler Woolridge of Andrews University with 40 points. 46 points also marks the record for all USCAA men's basketball at the National Championships.
Penn State Beaver now moves onto face fourth-seeded Penn State Mont Alto on Friday in the Main Arena at 5:00 PM. Central Maine Community College moves to the consolation bracket to face fifth-seeded Warren Wilson College on Friday in the Maltho Gymnasium at 12:00 PM.
#3 Albany College of Pharmacy 63 - #6 Penn State Fayette 52
Three defending National Champions received bids to the 2014 USCAA Basketball National Championships, and with their 63-52 victory over #6 Penn State Fayette, the third-seeded Albany College of Pharmacy Lady Panthers will be the only one advancing to the semifinals.
Five Lady Panthers finished the game with double-digit point totals, including USCAA 1st Team All-American Alexa Schooley who had a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Honorable Mention All-American Taylor Sullivan chipped in 15 points and 2nd Team All-American Kelsey Johnson finished with 13 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists. A stifling Lady Panthers defense held the Roaring Lions to only 27.9% shooting in the game.
Penn State Fayette was led by USCAA 2nd Team All-American Jill Guthrie who scored 20 points (6-17). The Roaring Lions undoing came from the three-point line where they went just 1-19 as a team. With the loss, Penn State Fayette will face #7 University of Maine-Augusta in a consolation game at 2:00 PM on Friday in Maltho Gym. Albany College of Pharmacy will advance to play #3 University of Cincinnati-Clermont at 7:00 PM on Friday in the Main Arena.
#2 University of Cincinnati-Clermont 74 - #7 University of Maine-Augusta 45
In the opening game of the Women’s Division II bracket, #2 University of Cincinnati-Clermont handled #7 University of Maine-Augusta, 74-45, to advance to the semifinals.
The Lady Cougars received a dominant performance from USCAA 1st Team All-American Stacie Lee. Lee tallied 18 points and 15 rebounds while spearheading a suffocating Clermont defense that held University of Maine-Augusta to 29% shooting. University of Cincinnati-Clermont held a decisive advantage in the turnover margin, committing only 9 and capitalizing with 19 points on 18 Lady Moose lost possessions.
Contributing to the victory for the Lady Cougars were USCAA 1st Team All-American Ashley Keith with 16 points and 8 rebounds, Meggie Malone with 16 points, and Tess Jenike with 12 points. University of Maine-Augusta received 22 points (9-22) from USCAA 1st Team All-American Arreonte Lee and 16 points and 10 rebounds from Honorable Mention All-American Jamie Plummer.
University of Cincinnati-Clermont will advance to play the winner of #3 Albany College of Pharmacy versus #6 Penn State Fayette at 7:00 PM on Friday in the Main Arena. The Lady Moose will face the loser of that contest in the consolation bracket.
#4 Penn State Mont Alto 71 - #5 Warren Wilson College 60
Fourth-seeded Penn State Mont Alto advances to the second round of the 2014 USCAA National Basketball Championship after defeating fifth-seeded and defending USCAA Men's Division II National Champion Warren Wilson College, 71-60.
Shooting 48% from the floor, Penn State Mont Alto was able to jump out to an early 7-0 lead over the Owls in the first 5 minutes of play. Warren Wilson would fight back but would head into halftime down by 11 points. Penn State Mont Alto used their 44-33 advantage on the glass to continue to shoot nearly 50% from the floor in the second half. The Owls were able to cut the Lions lead to six with three minutes left to go in regulation but the Lions would end the game on a 5-0 run to secure the victory.
The Lions were led by USCAA Honorable Mention Jerome Evans, who tallied 15 points on 5-10 shooting and 9 rebounds. Corey Meyers and Devonte Merritt added 12 points each for the Lions. Junior guard Ty Johnson led the way for the Owls with 22 points.
Penn State Mont Alto now moves onto to face the winner of the 1/8 matchup between Central Maine Community College and Penn State Beaver Friday at 5:00 PM in the Main Arena. Warren Wilson College will close its tournament berth against the loser of that game in Maltho at 12:00 PM.
#2 Penn State York 95 - #7 Berkeley College-New Jersey 89
Tyler Martin’s 20 point and 9 assist effort lifted the PSUAC champion and second-seeded Penn State York Lions to victory over #7 Berkeley College-New Jersey, 95-89. Down 9 points at half, the Lions shot 75% in the second-half to secure a berth in the Men’s Division II Basketball semifinals.
Martin’s performance was nearly matched by Lucas Jewell’s 21 points and 7 assists. USCAA Honorable Mention All-American Josh Jamison chipped in 19 points and 9 rebounds in the winning effort. Others scoring in double figures for Penn State York were USCAA 1st Team All-American Logan Steckel (12 points) and Ben Todd (14 points).
Trailing 87-80 with 1:14 left, Berkeley College-New Jersey made two straight layups and looked poised for more after a Martin turnover. However, a missed foul shot by Carl O’Neil and two subsequent free throws by Jewell effectively ended the comeback and Berkeley’s championship hopes. The Knights were led by USCAA 2nd Team All-American Dukens Germain with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals. O’Neil added 17 points and 7 rebounds.
Penn State York will advance to face #6 Andrews University at 3:00 PM in the Main Arena on Friday. Meanwhile, Berkeley College-New Jersey will take on #3 Central Penn College in a consolation game at 10:00 AM on Friday in Maltho.
#9 Berkeley College-New York 87 - #10 Penn State Fayette 67
In the first consolation game of the USCAA Men’s Division II bracket, the ninth-seeded Berkeley College Knights of New York defeated tenth-seeded Penn State Fayette, 87-67.
Berkeley College-New York started out of the gates quickly, running out to a 28-7 lead at the ten minute mark of the first half. The Knights would continue their hot shooting for the rest of the half as they saw their lead balloon to as much as 27 points, eventually taking a 44-28 lead into halftime. Penn State Fayette was able to cut the lead to as low as 13 in the second half but could not overcome a Knights team that shot 62% from the field.
The Knights were led by USCAA Honorable Mention All-American, Jovan Bovell, who poured in 24 points and grabbed 4 rebounds. Berkeley big man Ahmed Dickerson finished one rebound shy of a double-double with 19 points and 9 rebounds. Pacing the Penn State Fayette Lions was USCAA Honorable Mention All-American, Matt McKenna, who scored a game-high 26 points on 12 of 19 shooting.
The Knights of Berkeley College end their tournament run with a record of 1-1 and an overall record of 15-10. Penn State Fayette ends the tournament with a record of 0-2 and an overall record of 12-16.
#3 Central Penn 78 - #6 Andrews University 92
2014 USCAA 1st Team All-American Tyler Wooldridge has broken the Men's Division II USCAA Basketball National Championship Tournament scoring record with 40 points leading the Andrews University Cardinals to 92-78 victory over the Central Penn College Knights. The 5'10 senior from Bakersfield, California added seven assists, three rebounds, and two steals to the record breaking performance.
USCAA Honorable Mention All-American Junior Orelus chipped in 17 points and 5 assists in the winning effort. Andrews University was feeling it from beyond the arc, shooting 44 percent (11-25) from the three-point line.
The Knights were paced by USCAA 1st Team All-American Devon Dorsey's 28 point, 13 rebound performance. Sophomore Forward Justin Reynolds also recorded a double-double (15 points, 11 rebounds) in the losing effort. In a closely contested game throughout, the Cardinals shot 59% in the first half and outrebounded the Knights 43-41.
The Cardinals from Berrien Springs, Michigan will advance to play the winner of the #2 Penn State York Lions and the #7 Berkeley College-New Jersey Knights at 3:00 PM (EST) on Friday, March 7th in the Main Arena.
#5 Robert Morris University-Springfield 62 - #8 Concordia College Alabama 72
The Concordia College Alabama Hornets defeated Robert Morris University-Springfield, 72-62, in Men’s Division I consolation bracket action.
In a closely contested game throughout, the Hornets shot 47% in the second half and outrebounded the Eagles 30-12 to take control of the game down the stretch. For a second game in a row, Concordia College Alabama was led by USCAA 1st Team All-American Tavin Cummings with 21 points (8-16) and 7 rebounds. Carvin Norman and Harry Cross also finished with double-digit points for the Hornets. USCAA 1st Team All-American Robert Calmese of Robert Morris University-Springfield paced all scorers with 29 points (10-18) in the game while Reid David chipped in 15 points for the Eagles.
Concordia College Alabama finishes their season with an 18-16 record while Robert Morris University-Springfield falls to 16-12 on the season.
#2 Rochester College 83 - #3 Victory University 77
In the first consolation game of the USCAA Men’s Division I bracket, second-seeded Rochester College defeated third-seeded Victory University, 83-77.
Despite being down by 16 at halftime and being outrebounded for the game (48-33) Victory University stormed back in the second half to give themselves an opportunity to win their last game of the tournament before falling short in the last seconds. Rochester was able to hang on by hitting their free throws, securing rebounds, and forcing Victory into a tough contested 3-point shot that would have tied the game with 20 seconds remaining.
USCAA 1st Team All-American, Stavros Schizas, led the way for Rochester College with 20 points and 9 rebounds before fouling out late in the second half. Also chipping in for the Warriors was USCAA Honorable Mention All-American, AJ Burton, who finished with 20 points and 4 rebounds. Pacing the Eagles was USCAA 1st Team All-American Tyrell Hursey, who finished with 28 points and 3 rebounds.
With the win, Rochester College ends their tournament run with a record of 1-1 and an overall record of 25-7. Victory University ends the 2014 National Basketball Championship Tournament 0-2 and with an overall record of 21-6.
#1 Iowa Wesleyan 85 - #5 Rochester College 63
The Iowa Wesleyan Tigers avenged their quarterfinal loss on Wednesday by bouncing back to beat #5 Rochester College in consolation bracket action, 85-63. The Women’s Division I number one overall seed shot 44% from the field and received 20 points on 22 Rochester turnovers.
Iowa Wesleyan was paced once again by USCAA 1st Team All-American Karla Vietinghoff with 21 points. The Tigers’ Lauren Grubb also chipped in 19 points and 6 rebounds. Kara Carter and Jana Meister also finished in double-figures for Iowa Wesleyan. Rochester College was led by Meagan Heiden with 19 points and USCAA 1st Team All-American Ke’ala Ka’aikala with 15 points.
Iowa Wesleyan College finishes the season with a 23-4 record while Rochester College concludes the season at 12-19.
#6 Maine-Fort Kent 65 - #7 St Joseph's College-Brooklyn 67
Opening the second day of USCAA Basketball Tournament action, the seventh-seeded St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn Lady Bears defeated #6 University of Maine-Fort Kent Lady Bengals in a 67-65 nail biter.
The Lady Bears dominated early, shooting 51 percent (18-35) from the field while holding the Lady Bengals to just 20 percent (7-35). University of Maine Fort-Kent rallied in the second half led by USCAA Honorable Mention All-American Samantha Carapellucci's 11-point and 15 rebound effort.
Leading the way for St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn was Taylor Raccuglia. Raccuglia was just one rebound and two points shy of a triple-double (9 rebounds, 8 points, 11 assists). Megan Moran handled most of the scoring load for the Lady Bears, chipping in 28 points (12-14). However, junior guard Kristin D'Chiutiis hit the go ahead layup in the closing seconds to seal the victory in this consolation bracket matchup.