Lourdes, Cornerstone, Indiana Tech and Madonna conclude season in NAIA 1st round

The Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference (WHAC) saw four teams qualify for the NAIA National Championship tournament for the first time in conference history. Indiana Tech, Cornerstone, Lourdes and Madonna each earned a spot in an opening round pod at a location across the country. Unfortunately for those teams, their tremendous seasons came to a close as they fell in the first round of play over the weekend. 

No.9 Spring Arbor def. No. 8 Cornerstone 83-81 | Box Score

In a nail-biting start to the 2025 NAIA National Tournament, Spring Arbor (MI) secured a narrow victory over Cornerstone (MI) with a final score of 83-81. Held on March 14, the intense first-round match showcased the talent and determination of both teams, ultimately seeing the 9th-seeded Spring Arbor triumph over the 8th-seeded Cornerstone.

Travis Grayson led Spring Arbor with a remarkable performance, scoring 33 points, along with contributing 5 assists and a steal. His ability to find the basket in crucial moments extended Spring Arbor's lead, particularly with pivotal layups. Gabe Newhof also played a key role, adding 18 points and dominating the boards with 13 rebounds. His presence inside was instrumental, along with a notable block that helped secure the win. Kevyn Robertson was another standout, ensuring a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds, complemented by 3 steals.

Though the game was tightly contested, with Cornerstone once leading at halftime with a score of 40-38, Spring Arbor's persistent effort in the second half was pivotal in their comeback. The key moments highlighted by Grayson's scoring prowess and Newhof's rebounding ability culminated in maintaining a slender edge over Cornerstone to clinch the victory. 

No. 9 Oregon Tech def. No. 8 Indiana Tech 87-78 | Box Score

In a gripping NAIA National Championship opening round basketball contest, the Oregon Tech Hustlin' Owls secured an 87-78 victory against the Indiana Tech Warriors on March 14, 2025. The win was not only a display of skill and strategy but also a testament to the depth of the Hustlin' Owls' roster.

The match kicked off with both teams displaying robust techniques and strategies, reflective of their nearly matched records this season (Oregon Tech at 23-7 and Indiana Tech at 23-8). The Hustlin' Owls, seeded ninth, were slightly behind at the halftime mark, which saw them trailing the eighth-seeded Warriors 39-33. However, the second half witnessed a remarkable turnaround, with Oregon Tech outplaying Indiana Tech in both offense and defense.

Key contributions came from Keegan Shivers who led Oregon Tech with 20 points. Jackson Cooper backed him up with a solid 15 points and 6 rebounds. Kam Osborn also played a pivotal role, adding 13 points and 4 assists. A standout performance that truly underscored the team's collaborative effort was from Jamison Guerra, who almost clinched a triple-double with 11 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, and an impressive 4 steals.

The Warriors did see commendable performances, with Crew Gibson racking up 25 points. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to catch the Hustlin' Owls, who were relentless till the last whistle.

No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan def. No. 12 Madonna 96-77 | Box Score

 The Indiana Wesleyan Wildcats secured a decisive victory against the Madonna Crusaders with a final score of 96-77 in the NAIA Championship First Round on March 14, 2025. The Wildcats, led by standout performances from Caedmon Bontrager and Luke Brown, demonstrated their prowess and strategic excellence on their home court.

The game kicked off with intense competition, with the halftime scoreboard showing a narrow lead for the Wildcats at 46-44. This close margin set the stage for what was to unfold in the second half. Indiana Wesleyan, seeded 5th, showcased a remarkable second-half performance, characterized by solid offensive plays and a fortified defense, ultimately outscoring the 12th seed, Madonna. Bontrager, with a game-high 28 points, played a pivotal role, while teammates Luke Brown and Griffin Kliewer each added 16 points, contributing significantly to the team's success.

The Crusaders, despite a valiant effort led by Isaac Anderson who scored 19 points, could not contain the surging Wildcats. Additional contributions from the Madonna team included Ethan Emerzian with 14 points and Ahmoni Weston with 11 points, alongside 4 assists. The Wildcats' ability to escalate their game in the second half was key, pulling away to secure the win with a comfortable margin.

No. 3 Huntington (Ind.) def. No. 14 Lourdes 77-51 | Box Score

In a decisive victory during the NAIA National Championship Opening Round, the Huntington Foresters showcased their skill and determination with a commanding 77-51 win over the Lourdes Gray Wolves on March 14, 2025. This win not only advances Huntington further into the championship but also solidifies their status as a formidable force in men's basketball.

The game, played on Huntington's home court, began with the Foresters taking a significant lead by halftime, scoring 39 points against Lourdes' 22. The home team's dominance was evident throughout the match as they maintained and extended their lead, culminating in a 26-point victory. Lane Sparks led the scoring for Huntington with an impressive 25 points, followed by Landen Jordan who not only scored 17 points but also secured 11 rebounds, contributing a double-double to his team's triumph. Jackson Paul also played a crucial role, adding another 11 points to the scoreboard.

Despite the loss, Lourdes had notable performances from Shaunn Monroe, who scored 15 points, managed 3 steals, and provided 4 assists. Derek Fairley contributed 12 points and 6 rebounds. Their efforts, however, were overshadowed by the overwhelming performance of the Huntington team, whose strategic gameplay and solid defense ensured their victory.