Good morning, NAIA hoops fans!
Happy Veterans Day, and thank you to everyone who has served.
Nelson picked up a road win at The Dock, Dakota State moved to 4–0, and Champion Christian’s Kelen Smith delivered a triple-double. Oklahoma City also knocked off a Division II opponent in exhibition play, while Cornerstone provided a finish worth watching again.
Games of the Day
Nelson 92, LSU Shreveport 85
Nelson’s balanced offense traveled well.
Six Lions scored in double figures as Nelson built a 50–38 halftime lead and held off LSU Shreveport. Henry Sanchez supplied 16 points and four 3-pointers off the bench, helping the Lions improve to 4–0.
Nelson shot 53.8 percent, outscored the Pilots 46–30 in the paint and held a 26–9 edge in fast-break points. Jordan Jenkins added 15 points, while Jared Harris paired 12 points with nine assists and just one turnover.
Brentay Noel and Tate McCurry scored 15 apiece for LSU Shreveport. Official box score
Dakota State 79, Dordt 71
Another neutral floor, another win for Dakota State.
The Trojans beat Dordt at the Sanford Sports Complex in Sioux Falls to improve to 4–0. The eight-point victory followed weekend wins over Mount Marty and Ozark Christian in Bellevue, giving Dakota State three wins away from home in five days.
Next comes a trip to Briar Cliff on Saturday. Dakota State schedule
Top Performers
- Kelen Smith, Champion Christian: 17 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against Central Baptist.
- Braylon Frazier, Champion Christian: 23 points, six rebounds and five 3-pointers.
- Gaius Mervin, Champion Christian: 15 points and eight rebounds on 7-for-7 shooting.
- Jared Harris, Nelson: 12 points, nine assists and just one turnover.
- Zion Hunter, Nelson: 11 points, four blocks and three steals.
- Caleb Gaston, Nelson: 14 points and six rebounds in 14 minutes.
- Trae Clayton, LSU Shreveport: 11 points and 10 rebounds.
- Brooks Kissinger, Concordia (NE): 17 points on 8-for-12 shooting and four steals against Ottawa.
- Aries Hull, Ottawa: 11 points and 11 rebounds.
Oklahoma City takes down Division II Cameron
Oklahoma City went to Lawton and came away with a 74–60 exhibition victory over NCAA Division II Cameron.
Holding the Aggies to 60 points and winning by 14 on the road made this a result worth highlighting. It was an exhibition for the Stars and does not add a regular-season win to Oklahoma City’s record.
Around the NAIA
Smith’s triple-double leads Champion Christian
Champion Christian beat Central Baptist 97–81 behind Smith’s all-around performance and an efficient offensive night.
The Tigers shot 64.5 percent from the floor and made eight of 17 attempts from beyond the arc. Frazier scored 17 of his 23 points after halftime as Champion turned a 47–40 lead into a 16-point victory. Caleb Knight led Central Baptist with 16 points. Official box score
Concordia reaches 100 again
Concordia overwhelmed Ottawa 100–67 for its third consecutive 100-point performance at home. The Bulldogs forced 21 turnovers and controlled the paint, 60–32, moving to 4–1.
Kissinger’s efficient scoring and defensive activity helped Concordia take command despite missing its first 10 attempts from 3-point range. Concordia recap
National weekly honors
Northwestern’s Grant Tigges earned the NAIA offensive weekly honor after averaging 30 points in two wins, shooting 69 percent overall and 64.7 percent from 3-point range.
Florida College’s Jafeth Martinez received the defensive honor after collecting 11 blocks and 25 rebounds across three games.
Berry recognized as Georgia Gwinnett keeps rolling
Georgia Gwinnett’s Jahiem Berry earned the CAC offensive weekly award after averaging 17 points during a three-win week. He shot 58.8 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from deep, including 26 points against Tennessee Wesleyan.
The 6–0 Grizzlies host Cumberland on Friday and Keiser on Saturday at the GGC Classic.
Play to Watch: Cornerstone’s game-winner
Cornerstone supplied a finish worth another look. Watch the game-winner.
Follow the NHR Scores & Schedules page for the running board.
Good At Basketball.
