Well, Wednesday’s are usually a bigger night around the NAIA, but unfortunately, Winter storms decided to roll in, so much of the games were pushed to today! With a smaller game slate yesterday there wasn’t much happening outside of the ordinary (yes, that includes the normal GPAC craziness).
Games of the Day Recap
#13 Georgetown bounced out to a big early lead, and then withstood the Cumberland run to take a 73-63 win (Recap).
The win gives Georgetown a half game lead for 2nd place in the MSC Standings. Cumberland remains in that crucial 4-seed in the MSC, but the lead over UPike and Freed-Hardeman is just 1 game.
#1 William Penn All-Americans, Karmari Newman and Kevion Blaylock once again led the Statesmen charge as WPU rolled to another win. This time it was a 112-94 win over a hot Mount Mercy team, who had worked themselves up into 2nd place in the Heart of America. (Recap)
The loss, coupled with a Grand View win over Clarke, now pushes Grandview into a tie for 2nd place in the Heart North.
The GPAC didn’t go as bonkers as it has been going over the past few weeks, but #25 Briar Cliff beat Mount Marty, 74-63 (Recap) and CUNE survived on the road against Midland, 92-87 (Recap), giving both teams a little separation on the rest of the league.
3rd-7th in the GPAC remains a zoo though and one loss can send you spiraling deep down into the standings, but a win, like Jamestown had last night over Dakota Wesleyan, can catapult you up the standings when others lose!
Yesterday we released our NAIA Hoops Bracketology Report.
Tons of story lines to watch over the final 3 weeks of the season. Seniors who don't want to play their last games, conf. titles up for grabs, bubble teams pushing to improve resumes and more!
While the POD placement in that one is based to try to keep teams more regionally located. Here is a look at how the bracket would look if we move it to be more linear with the seeding being snaked back and forth.
Women’s Game of the Day Recap
Grand View picked up a big win over #10 Clarke to move into a tie for 1st place in the Heart of America. (Recap)
Congrats to one of the best shooters in the NAIA, Karmari Newman, on becoming the All-Time career three pointers made leader at WPU.
We want to congratulate Karmari Newman on breaking the all-time career three point record set by Taylor Stoutner in 2013! This incredible edit made by Graduate Assistant, Wade Votroubek, shows every single 3 pointer made by Karmari in his 3 seasons at WPU. pic.twitter.com/cGpl3dBbK8
— William Penn Menโs Basketball (@WPUBasketball) February 3, 2022
Pretty cool thing at Rochester as the father-son duo have now combined for 1,000 career wins!
The win against UNOH marks a special occasion as Garth and Klint Pleasant now have 1000 combined wins as head coaches. They continue the quest to beat Eddie and Scott Sutton's record 1,218 wins as father-son. pic.twitter.com/fnh6wYsMY1
— Rochester University Menโs Basketball (@RUWarriorsMBB) February 2, 2022
A pair of St. Francis Cougars continue to climb the all-time points scored list at USF.
RECORD UPDATE | Last night vs. #14 Grace College @MullJalan scored 10 points in the USF win and moved past Ethan Hussey into #31 on USFโs All-Time Scoring List! Go Cougars!
RECORD UPDATE | Last night vs. #14 Grace College @a_cush02 scored 31 points in the USF win and moved past Trey Eaton & Larry Land into #6 on USFโs All-Time Scoring List! Go Cougars!
Cush also made it 48 straight games in double-figure scoring. Which is also a USF record!
RECORD UPDATE | @a_cush02 has now scored double-figures in 48 consecutive games. The previous USF record was 46 consecutive games held by USF All-American guard, Q Owens! Congratulations Cush & Go Cougars! pic.twitter.com/ucZa9Nv7UK