Berkeley College Wins 4th Consecutive National Championship Over Villa Maria College 93-77
The #1 Berkeley College-NY Knights won the 2018 USCAA Men’s Division II National Championship against #3 Villa Maria Vikings, 93-77.
Berkeley used their depth and veteran experience to claim their 4th consecutive National Championship. Villa Maria jumped out a quick 12-6 lead – their largest lead of the game. The seasoned Knights squad fought back in the middle part of the first half to take a lead that stretched through the rest of the half.
Berkeley started the second half with even more energy; they went on a quick 10-4 run to break open the score 50-42 on a Johnnie Green dunk. Green would later be named tournament MVP. From there, the Knights kept a slow grind toward the finish – methodically stretching their lead as the half progressed.
The Knights scored 60 points in the paint compared to Villa Maria’s 32. Green and USCAA Men’s Division II Player of the Year Michael Taylor scored 24 points apiece, while Shamoree Strawn added 8 rebounds for the Knights and 10 points with 27 minutes played. Leading Villa Maria was Lonnie Taylor with 13 points and 10 rebounds. Also scoring in double figures for the Vikings were DeJuan Owens (18 points) and Dominic Douglas (16 points).
Men’s Division II Tournament MVP
Johnnie Green, Berkeley College
Men’s Division II All-Tournament Team
Donte Winfield, Penn State Brandywine
Darius Bryant, Warren Wilson College
Dominic Douglas, Villa Maria College
DeJuan Owens, Villa Maria College
Ricardo Ayuso, Berkeley College