Good morning, NAIA hoops fans!
Tuesday’s schedule gave us a little bit of everything: a convincing response in a rematch, a Kentucky matchup worth circling, two teams putting up 108, and several games decided by five points or fewer.
Let’s start in New Orleans.
Loyola gets the rematch. Cumberlands gets a quality win.
Loyola and LSU Alexandria played an 85–84 game on October 22, with the Generals taking that first meeting. Tuesday’s rematch was a different story.
Loyola 96, LSU Alexandria 69.
From a one-point loss to a 27-point win against the same opponent in less than two weeks. That is a response.
These early-season rematches give us a chance to see how teams handle a second look at each other. Loyola made the most of this one, picking up a convincing win as both programs build their nonconference résumés.
Over in Kentucky, Cumberlands beat Pikeville 76–66 in another matchup we had circled.
Holding Pikeville to 66 stands out. It is early, but a double-digit win in a game like this gives the Patriots something to build on. For Pikeville, it provides an early measuring point against another nationally relevant NAIA program.
Georgia Gwinnett and Faulkner light up the scoreboard
Georgia Gwinnett and Faulkner each reached 108 points.
Georgia Gwinnett beat Montreat 108–65, with Brasen James scoring 20 and Patrick Johnson adding 10 points and 13 rebounds. The 43-point margin gets your attention, but Johnson’s double-double deserves a mention, too.
Faulkner beat Stillman 108–86, giving the Eagles a strong response after their loss to Talladega. Now we’ll see how both the Eagles and Grizzlies follow up their big nights.
Tuesday’s standout performances: Georgia Gwinnett
Georgia Gwinnett’s postgame release gives us three individual efforts to highlight from its 108–65 win over Montreat:
- Brasen James: a career-high 20 points off the bench, including 16 in the first half.
- Patrick Johnson: 10 points and 13 rebounds.
- Ray Rolley: nine assists off the bench.
Around the country
There were plenty of tighter finishes, too:
- Bethel (IN) edged Aquinas, 71–67.
- Grand View beat Dakota Wesleyan, 77–72.
- Holy Cross defeated Goshen, 68–63.
- Valley City State beat Minnesota Morris, 78–73.
MidAmerica Nazarene also delivered a convincing 80–50 win over Kansas Wesleyan, now confirmed on the Pioneers’ official schedule.
Elsewhere, Marian beat Indiana Southeast 96–82, Reinhardt defeated Point 92–82, and WVU Tech topped Bluefield 83–74.
Those are among the official NAIA final reports available late Tuesday, with additional results still being confirmed. Follow the scores and schedules page for the running roundup.
Turning the page to Wednesday
Tuesday gave us some answers. Wednesday brings another round of road tests.
William Carey at LSU Shreveport
Carey split its opening two games, falling 97–90 to Talladega before beating Milligan 97–78. That is at least 90 points in each outing.
Now the Crusaders head to Shreveport. How that offense travels against the Pilots makes this one worth watching. Official schedule
Life at Carolina
Life brings a 3–0 start into Wednesday after wins over Selma, Georgia Southern–East Georgia and Southeastern.
The last two wins came by five points apiece, including the 96–91 result against Southeastern. The Running Eagles have already had to earn a couple of close ones. Now they look to keep that start going on the road. Official schedule
Another night on the D1 stage
Blue Mountain visits Tennessee Tech, while Saint Mary-of-the-Woods heads to Southern Indiana.
After Monday’s performances by IU Kokomo and MACU, we have more NAIA programs getting an opportunity against Division I opponents. These are two more games to keep on the screen Wednesday night.
Before the games tip
If you missed the latest Road to Muni episode with Indiana Wesleyan head coach Greg Tonagel, catch up before Wednesday’s action.
Watch on YouTube or listen on Spotify.
Get those screens ready!
NAIA hoops. Good At Basketball.
