Texas Wesleyan Wins National Championship, 86-76-Mar
21, 2017
Most Valuable PlayerDion Rogers(6'0''-PG)
scored a game-high 28 points to lead No. 3-seeded Texas Wesleyan
to an 86-76 win over third-seeded Life (Ga.) Tuesday evening in
the championship game of the 2017 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I
Men's Basketball National Championship at Municipal Auditorium.
Texas Wesleyan (29-7) won its second national championship in
program history, also capturing the 2006 crown with a 67-65 win
over Oklahoma City in that season's championship game. Life
(26-11) fell short of its fourth title in program history,
claiming the red banner in 1997, 1999 and 2000. Rogers led all
scorers with 28 points to earn Most Valuable Player honors for
the championship, while also dishing out eight assists.Ryan Harris(6'1''-G)
tallied 21 points and seven rebounds,Naiel Smith(6'4''-G)
added 17 points, six assists and four rebounds, andNajeal Young(6'6''-G)
posted 11 points and 10 rebounds. 'I can't explain the way I
feel right now, I'm just so happy for our team,' said Rogers.
'This was our goal going into the year. It's a long season and
we had a lot to accomplish on the way here. We had ups and
downs, but we got through everything and reached our goal.' The
defense of the Rams set the tone in the first half, limiting the
Eagles to 28.6 percent shooting (8 of 28) that included a
3-of-15 clip from three-point range. Texas Wesleyan also forced
nine turnovers that turned into 11 points, while posting a 21-19
rebounding advantage. Texas Wesleyan (29-7) took control of the
first half over the final 4:03 before intermission, scoring the
final 10 points to take a 35-23 advantage into the break.
Following a jumper by Rogers, Harris converted a steal by Smith
for a field goal before draining a three-pointer. Smith, who
assisted on the Harris trey, finished the scoring for the half
with a put-back and a single free throw. A three-pointer byJonathan Beausejour(6'5''-F)
brought Life as close as it would come in the second half,
closing the gap to 49-44 with 11:02 remaining. However, Texas
Wesleyan answered with 10-straight points to reclaim the
double-digit advantage that remained intact for the remainder of
the contest. 'We've got senior leadership and we're tough,' said
Texas Wesleyan head coach Brennen Shingleton. 'It's almost as if
we got in better shape as we went along. We never lost touch
with who we are, and we just stayed the course.' The Rams
dominated the second half at the free throw line, converting 25
of 30 attempts (.833). Rogers and Harris each knocked down 11 of
13 from the charity stripe, while Life made 17 of 22 (.773) in
the entire contest. Though the Eagles managed to force 10
turnovers in the second half that turned into 18 points, the
free throw discrepancy was too much to overcome. 'I think there
was one team that was ready for the importance and the challenge
of this moment and there was one team that wasn't,' said Life
head coach Keith Adkins. 'I think Texas Wesleyan was that team
who was ready. They were aggressive throughout the game. We just
were not ready for it. We had our spurts to get back into it,
but ultimately this was Texas Wesleyan's night and you have to
give them all the credit.'Dalarian Williams(6'6''-F)
tallied 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals
for Life.Zach Landis(6'4''-G)
added 21 points, 11 rebounds and three steals for the Eagles.
NABC-NAIA Slam Dunk Contest Winner:Henry French(6'3''-G)
of Trinity International Finalist:Johnny Griffin(6'5''-G/F)
of Loyola Other participants: Brendyn Taylor(6'3''-G-94)
of Northwest Christian (Ore.) Brendan Chapman(6'5''-C)
of Science & Arts
CoSIDA College Division Academic All-America 2016-17-Mar
3, 2017
Union Wins First Ever National Championship-Mar
15, 2017
Union's wait for its first ever national title is over
as the No.1 Bulldogs defeated No. Cornerstone (Mich.)
72-69 in the 2017 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball
National Championship game played tonight at the Keeter
Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks.
Union closes the season with a school record 35-3 mark,
the most wins among NAIA Division schools, winning its
33rd straight game. Paul Stone(6'6''-F),
the championship's most valuable player, led Union with
26 points and grabbed nine rebounds, despite playing
most of the final 10 minutes with four fouls.Mike Martin(6'4''-F),
who earned the championship hustle award, added 17
points and five boards whileGerrard Newby(6'5''-F)
tallied a double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.
With the score knotted at 45 at the 14-minute mark, the
ninth and final tie of the game, Union went on a
decisive 14-2 run. The Bulldogs clamped down
defensively, holding Cornerstone without a field goal
for over six minutes. Cory Cox(6'5''-F)
knocked down a jumper to end the Golden Eagles' scoring
drought, cutting the lead to 61-52. Cornerstone stayed
within contact, thanks in large part to the play of
juniorKyle Steigenga(6'6''-F),
whose two free throws put his team down just six, 66-60
with three minutes left.
A Cox three-pointer made it a one possession game
(66-63) but Union answered with consecutive baskets byLance Blakely(6'5''-F)
and Martin, giving the Bulldogs a seven-point lead with
just over a minute left.
Cornerstone guardMichael McLaughlin(5'10''-PG)
drained a long three from the top of the key to make the
score 70-66 and Union failed to convert on a 1-and-1,
giving the Golden Eagles' hope with under 20 seconds
left. Cornerstone missed a three-pointer and Newby was
fouled after controlling the rebound. The senior calmly
made two free throws to put the game out of reach,
despite a last-second three-pointer by McLaughlin that
made the final margin three points.
'This was a very hard game to play…hard to find
offensive things to go to, but we persevered,' said
Union head coachKevin Burton.
'Cornerstone is a class act. They have great talent and
great coaching. For us to come up on top in a game
against a team that's so storied in the NAIA, it's a
pretty good accomplishment.'
The top two overall seeds played a very tight first half
with neither team able to pull away with an extended
scoring run. Cornerstone shot nearly 50% over the first
20 minutes, going to its strong inside game coupled with
the strong play-making of McLaughlin. Union relied on
its three-point shooting, going 7/14 from beyond the
arc, in a first half that ultimately ended with a 36-35
Bulldogs lead.
Steigenga carried Cornerstone on both ends of the floor
behind a 30-point, 10 rebound effort in a full
40-minutes of court time. It was his fourth
double-double of the championship. Playmaking senior
guard McLaughlin finished with 16 points and Cox,
another senior, closed with 12 points.Sam Vander Sluis(6'9''-C)
grabbed 14 rebounds, finishing the championship with 69
boards, second most all-time at the D-II Championship.
Cornerstone shot 41% for the game and was limited to 33%
over the final 20 minutes. They finish the season with a
34-4 overall record.
'It was a tough end to a great season,' said Cornerstone
head coachKim Elders.
'Union was so tough defensively and took us out of some
things we do well. They also created pressure that
transitioned into turnovers and points.'
NAIA D2 Most Outstanding Player:Paul Stone(6'6''-F)
of Union NAIA D2 Championship Hustle Award:Mike Martin(6'4''-F)
of Union NABC/NAIA D2 Coach of the Year:Kim Eldersof
Cornerstone NAIA D2 National Coach of the Year:Kevin Burtonof
Union
Most Outstanding Player:Paul Stone(6'6''-F)
of Union Championship Hustle Award:Mike Martin(6'4''-F)
of Union Coach of the Year:Kim Eldersof
Cornerstone National Coach of the Year:Kevin Burtonof
Union
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