Stritch, Ind.-Wesleyan earn NAIA crowns

Cardinal Stritch and Indiana Wesleyan won NAIA basketball championships Tuesday night.

In Point Lookout, Mo. Cardinal Stritch, Jamestown College’s first-round opponent at nationals, defeated No. 1 William Penn of Iowa 73-59, a team the Jimmies nearly beat back in November at the Civic Center.

The loss was just the second of the season for William Penn.

No. 1 Cardinal Stritch claimed its first national title. Both teams were in the title game for the first time in school history.

Indiana Wesleyan dominated the second half to win the women’s title Tuesday night in Sioux City, Iowa.

Trailing Davenport of Michigan 23-21, Indiana Wesleyan won the second half 40-21 en route to a 61-43 victory.

The matchup marked the first time since 2007 that a Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) team was not in the title game.

Indiana Wesleyan won its second national title in school history. The first came in 2007, which is the last time a GPAC team did not win it.

— Dave Selvig

Tags: sports, naia, basketball