Men's Basketball Claims First NCCAA National Championship in School History

The Kansas Christian men's basketball team became the first athletic program to win the NCCAA Division II National Championship in Joplin this weekend. The Falcons claimed the championship after winning all three of their games at the national tournament beating Toccoa Falls, Great Lakes Christian, and Manhattan Christian. The men's basketball team finished the season with a 15 game winning streak on their way to the title and finished the season with a record of 24-4. It is also the most wins in a season for the men's basketball team in program history. 

The Falcons were the #1 seed entering the tournament and took on #8 Toccoa Falls in their opening round game. The Falcons took the early lead over Toccoa Falls, but eventually found themselves trailing 18-16 with just over 11 minutes left in the first half. Jay Washington would erase the deficit with a three point bucket shortly thereafter and the Falcons would never trail again in the game. After leading by eight at halftime the Falcons pushed their lead to 18 points in the second half before taking the 94-81 victory. 

Jay Washington led all scorers with 24 points in the win. Washington was six for 10 from three point range. Jamal Clark added 21 points and eight rebounds. Clark also had four assists and four steals. Elazar Conley posted a double-double ith 18 points and 10 rebounds. Noah Brooks scored 13 points and Boog Lewis finished with 12. 

Game two of the national tournament brought on the #5 seed Great Lakes Christian. The Falcons briefly trailed in the early goings of the game before pushing out to a nine point halftime lead. Great Lakes would only get the deficit down to seven in the second half before Kansas Christian pulled away for an 84-69 win. 

Jamal Clark was the top scorer in the semifinal win scoring 27 points. Two Falcons finished with double-doubles as Elazar Conley got his second of the tournament with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Noah Brooks scored 10 points and had 12 rebounds. Boog Lewis also scored 10 points. 

In the championship game, Kansas Christian faced Manhattan Christian for the fourth time this season. The Falcons lost to Manhattan Christian in Cowen Memorial Auditorium on November 30 before beating the Thunder in Manhattan on January 31 and again in the Southwest Regional Championship Game on February 25.

The Falcons would beat the Thunder for a third time this season to earn the title of national champions by a final score of 98-73. Kansas Christian set the tone early opening the game with a 17-9 run over the first seven minutes. The Falcons took a 21 point lead into halftime and won the game by 25 points. 

Boog Lewis ws the top scorer in the championship game scoring 28 points. Jamal Clark scored 22 points, grabbed 10 rebounds and had 10 assists on his way to a triple-double. Elazar Conley just missed his third double-double of the tournament scoring 18 points and pulling down nine rebounds. Jahlani Blair also scored in double figures with 10 points. 

Jamal Clark was named the Tournament Most Outstanding Player and was a member of the All-Tournament Team. Elazar Conley joined Clark on the All-Tournament Team making the Falcons the only team with two players on the team.