UNIONTOWN, PA – For the fifth time in school history the Rochester College Warriors have won the USCAA Men’s Division I basketball National Championships. Rochester College defeated the Daemen College Wildcats 70-67. Led by the dominant inside duo of Dramel Hogan and Drew Maynard, a Rochester team that hasn’t lost since December 8th captured their first basketball National Championship since 2004-2005.
Hogan, the USCAA All-American and Tournament MVP, poured in 34 points and 7 rebounds to lead the Warriors. Fellow USCAA All-American Drew Maynard dominated the boards, grabbing 21 rebounds chipping in 19 big points. In a tight defensive battle that featured both teams trading baskets for the majority of the first half, Daemen went to the locker rooms with a 31-28 lead at half. Rochester made their run early in the second half. After a Casey Sheehan three-pointer with 16:24 remaining made the score 40-35 in the Wildcat’s favor, Rochester College would go on a 17-4 run, getting 7 points apiece from Hogan and Maynard to give the Warriors the lead.
Daemen College would spent the final ten minutes of the game trying to dig back out of the hole, getting to within three points after a thunderous dunk from Gerald Beverly with 0:59 seconds left. On the ensuing possession Rochester’s Brad Norman missed a three-pointer and a turnover on the offensive rebound would give the ball back to the Wildcats with 0:26 seconds remaining. Daemen’s Alvin Satram would get a look at a game-tying three on the next possession but the shot would fall short and seal the Wildcat’s fate.
Beverly led Daemen College, putting in 19 points and securing 11 rebounds for the Wildcats. The rest of the Daemen team struggled from the field, with sharpshooter Jordan Greene converting on only 1-8 three-point attempts. USCAA All-American Casey Sheehan went 3-12 from the field before fouling out with five minutes left in the game. As a team the Wildcats shot only 36% from the floor in the loss.
