UC San Diego Claims Big West Championship, Earns First NCAA Tournament Berth
UC San Diego, in its first season of NCAA Tournament eligibility, secured its first Big West championship with a 75-61 victory over UC Irvine on Saturday night in Henderson, Nev.
The top-seeded Tritons extended their winning streak to 15 games, improving to 30-4 and tying their program record for single-season victories.
Hayden Gray led the way with a career-high 22 points, hitting six of seven three-point attempts. Aniwaniwa Tait-Jones nearly recorded a triple-double with 14 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists, while Tyler McGhie and Nordin Kapic contributed 11 and 10 points, respectively.
UC Irvine struggled offensively, shooting just 35.1 percent from the field. Justin Hohn finished with 18 points, while Devin Tillis added 12 points and eight assists in the loss.
Norfolk State Survives South Carolina State to Win MEAC Championship
Christian Ings knocked down the game-winning free throw with eight seconds left, securing Norfolk State’s 66-65 victory over South Carolina State in the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference championship in Norfolk, Va.
Norfolk State (24-10) nearly let a 64-56 lead slip away in the final minute, but Ings’ clutch shot sent the Spartans to their third NCAA Tournament in five years.
Brian Moore Jr. contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, while Ings also grabbed seven boards. South Carolina State’s Wilson Dubinsky finished with 24 points, making all five of his three-point attempts in the loss.
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Bryant Cruises Past Maine to Secure America East Title
Barry Evans and Earl Timberlake led Bryant to a dominant 77-59 victory over Maine, giving the Bulldogs their second-ever NCAA Tournament berth in the America East championship in Smithfield, R.I.
Evans recorded 19 points and seven rebounds, while Timberlake stuffed the stat sheet with 17 points, five assists, four steals, and two blocks. Rafael Pinzon added 13 points, and Keyshawn Mitchell posted a 12-point, 12-rebound double-double.
Maine’s A.J. Lopez led all scorers with 20 points, while Kellen Tynes finished with 10 points and six assists.
Colorado State Overwhelms Boise State to Win Mountain West Title
Colorado State won its 10th straight game, defeating Boise State 69-56 in the Mountain West championship in Las Vegas.
Nique Clifford delivered a game-high 24 points, making three three-pointers. Ethan Morton was the only other Ram in double figures with 11 points, while Colorado State set a new conference tournament record with 12 three-pointers.
Boise State’s Tyson Degenhart led his team with 22 points, but the Broncos shot just 38.8 percent from the field and 29.6 percent from three.
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Akron Completes Comeback to Edge Miami (Ohio) for MAC Title
Nate Johnson’s game-winning layup with 2.3 seconds left lifted Akron to a 76-74 win over Miami (Ohio) in the Mid-American Conference championship in Cleveland.
Akron (28-6) overcame an 18-point deficit, with Johnson leading the charge with 22 points and five assists. Tavari Johnson added 15 points, and Amani Lyles grabbed 14 rebounds.
Miami’s Peter Suder scored a game-high 24 points, but the RedHawks struggled from the free-throw line, making just 3-of-5 attempts compared to Akron’s 13-of-16.
Liberty Captures First Conference USA Championship
Kaden Metheny and Taelon Peter powered Liberty to a 79-67 victory over Jacksonville State, clinching their first-ever Conference USA championship in Huntsville, Ala.
Metheny led all scorers with 21 points, while Peter came off the bench to add 20 points. Colin Porter dished out nine assists for a Liberty team that recorded 18 assists on 30 made field goals.
Jacksonville State (22-12) was led by Jaron Pierre Jr. with 19 points, but the Gamecocks were unable to recover from an early 20-point deficit.
Alabama State Wins SWAC Championship With Late Free Throws
Shawn Fulcher and Micah Simpson hit clutch free throws in the final seconds to give Alabama State a 60-56 win over Jackson State in the Southwestern Athletic Conference championship in College Park, Ga.
Alabama State (19-15) secured its first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2011, with CJ Hines leading the way with 20 points. TJ Madlock added seven points and 12 rebounds.
Jackson State’s Shannon Grant scored 20 points, but his team fell short despite making a late push.
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Grand Canyon Secures Third Consecutive WAC Championship
Grand Canyon extended its reign over the Western Athletic Conference, defeating Utah Valley 89-82 to win its third straight WAC championship and earn its fourth NCAA Tournament berth in five years.
Ray Harrison paced Grand Canyon with 18 points, while Duke Brennan recorded a 16-point, 10-rebound double-double. The Lopes controlled the paint, outscoring Utah Valley 42-30 inside.
Tanner Toolson kept Utah Valley close with a game-high 28 points, but the Wolverines struggled at the free-throw line, making just 67.9 percent of their attempts.
What’s Next for the NCAA Tournament?
With several conference tournaments now complete, Selection Sunday looms, where teams like UC San Diego, Norfolk State, Bryant, and Grand Canyon will learn their March Madness matchups.
As teams prepare for the NCAA Tournament, will these champions continue their momentum, or will the madness of March produce more surprises? Stay tuned for all the latest updates.
