Point Lookout, MO – Second-seeded Nelson – American Indian College earned their way to a 2025 NCCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship, their first in program history, with a strong second half of 46 points to defeat top-seeded Columbia International University 89-74 in Point Lookout, Missouri. Every game the Warriors played would come down to the wire, winning the quarterfinal game over College of the Ozarks 93-92 in overtime, and the semifinal 95-92 against Ohio Christian University. 

Championship: #2 Nelson – American Indian College - 89, #1 Columbia International University - 74

• The energy was felt early between Columbia International University and Nelson – American Indian College, with the two sides trading dunks in the opening minutes. Terrin Ross got the dunk party started for Nelson – AIC, which was immediately followed by a dunk from Johnny Whysong of Columbia International. 
• In the middle of the first half, Columbia International would go on a 9-2 run to open a six-point lead, 24-18. Most of the run was executed at the line, going 6-for-10 at the stripe in the first 12 minutes of play. The Warriors Zaveion Bineyard would pick up two early fouls, forcing the sophomore to the bench. 
• Zaveion Bineyard would check back in later in the first half and pick up a third foul with 6:41 remaining to send him back to the bench for the remainder of the half. 
• Despite the foul trouble, Nelson – AIC started to find their stroke from behind the arc with Harley Upton and Orlando Gonzales each hitting one to go back on top, 35-31. 
• Neither side could garnish a lead larger than four the remainder of the first half, as the two teams went into the break tied at 43. The first half saw 15 lead changes and four players in double-figures, led by 13 points from Columbia International’s Christian Howard. 
• The offensive glass proved crucial for Nelson – AIC early in the second half, recording three offensive rebounds that led to buckets in the first six minutes. Harley Upton would hit an acrobatic layup with 16:30 to play to put the Warriors on top 52-46 for their largest lead of the game. 
• The Harley Upton show continued, swishing a corner three that brought the Warriors lead to nine, 64-55. With 10 minutes to play, Upton led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-13 shooting. 
• After hitting just three shots from behind the arc in the first half, Nelson – AIC tallied four second half threes with 9:23 to play. The Warriors would balloon their lead to 72-57 with a 13-2 run that was capped off by an alley-oop from Larry Holmes. 
• The Warriors continued to pour it on with Rob Jenkins joining the three-point parade to help the margin move to 15, 80-65. With just over five minutes to play, Nelson AIC was 13-for-25 from the field and 5-for-9 from the three-point line in the second half. 
• Columbia International had no answer down the stretch forcing them to foul. Nelson – American Indian College would go 18-21 from the line for the game to secure an 89-74 victory and win their first NCCAA National Championship in program history. 

3^rd Place Game: #3 Ohio Christian University - 51, #5 Hannibal-LaGrange University - 44

• The offenses got off to a slow start in the third-place game, with a total of seven points being scored in the first five minutes of action. Kell Estep hit a jumper to cap a Hannibal-LaGrange University 7-2 scoring run to start the game that would force Ohio Christian University into an early timeout. 
• Throughout the remainder of the half, neither side could find any offensive rhythm. Both sides would shoot under 30% from the field and 20% or less from behind the arc. Ohio Christian would suffocate the Trojans on the final few possessions of the half to hold a 23-19 lead at the break. 
• CJ Faulkner started to hit the long ball to help Ohio Christian stay in front early in the second half. He hit two in the first six minutes, as the Trailblazers led 31-27 with 14:15 to play. 
• Hannibal-LaGrange would draw a crucial charge on the defensive end and string together multiple great defensive possessions, allowing them to chip away and regain the lead. Josh Talton hit a jumper for the Trojans with 9:41 to play to put them in front, 33-32. 
• The lead would only last a minute as the Trailblazers responded with a 9-2 run to go in front 41-35. DJ Bogay highlighted the run with Ohio Christian’s fifth three of the game. 
• The defensive struggle continued in the final few minutes, but Parker Penrod would hit the dagger three that would make the deficit too much to overcome for Hannibal-LaGrange. The Trailblazers would go on to win 51-44 and take third place at the 2025 NCCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championships. 
• Caleb Schmelzer of Ohio Christian and Josh Talton of Hannibal-LaGrange were named All-Tournament team members. 

Harley Upton of Nelson – American Indian College was named NCCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship Most Outstanding Player. To see all of the 2025 All-Tournament Team and other award winners visit here.

About the NCCAA
Established in 1968, the National Christian College Athletic Association uses intercollegiate athletics to further the Great Commission and is committed to equipping student-athletes and coaches to make a positive impact for Christ. The NCCAA currently holds 23 national championship events, along with two national invitationals for 92 member schools across 28 states and two Canadian provinces. For more information on the NCCAA, visit our website, thenccaa.org, and follow us on Facebook, Twitter/X, and Instagram at @thenccaa.