All articles tagged with #division ii
Minnesota State Mankato's men's basketball team clinched their first Division II national title with a thrilling 88-85 victory over Nova Southeastern, thanks to Kyreese Willingham's buzzer-beating three-pointer. This win, following the women's team's championship triumph, marks the first time a university has secured both the men's and women's D-II titles in the same year since 1984.
Colorado School of Mines' hopes for a Division II national title were dashed for the second consecutive year as they fell to Harding in a one-sided 38-7 defeat. Mines struggled to stop Harding's triple-option flexbone attack, allowing 502 rushing yards and only attempting two passes. Despite scoring on their opening possession, Mines was shut out for the rest of the game as Harding dominated on the ground. The loss marked Mines' second consecutive blowout defeat in the championship game.
Reed Ryan, a senior defensive lineman who played for the Division II Minnesota Duluth football team, has died unexpectedly at the age of 22. Ryan, who spent four seasons at North Dakota State University before joining the Bulldogs, was described as having a positive attitude and genuine care for others. The cause of death was not specified by the university, but Bison coach Matt Entz stated that Ryan died of cardiac arrest. Ryan's teammates and the football community are mourning his loss.
Tyson Bagent, a zero-star high school recruit from West Virginia, has risen from Division II record-breaker to starting quarterback for the Chicago Bears. Despite receiving only two Division I FCS offers, Bagent excelled at Shepherd University, setting an NCAA all-divisions record with 159 touchdown passes. After going undrafted, he beat out veteran PJ Walker to make the Bears roster and will become just the fourth undrafted rookie quarterback since 1990 to start within the first seven games of the season. Bagent's confidence and preparation have impressed teammates and coaches, and he is determined to make the most of his opportunity while starter Justin Fields recovers from a thumb injury.
Brady Ware, a graduate student at the University of Indianapolis, threw a no-hitter and hit for the cycle in the same Division II game against Drury University. He went 4-for-4 at the plate, with two runs and five RBIs, and struck out 11 batters across seven hitless innings on the mound. Ware's impressive performance helped the Greyhounds win 13-0 and improve their season record to 17-11.
University of Indianapolis pitcher Brady Ware threw a no-hitter and hit for the cycle in a 14-0 win over Drury University in a Division II matchup. Ware recorded 11 strikeouts over seven hitless innings and went 4-for-4 at the plate with two runs and five RBIs. He is the first player in program history to accomplish both feats in the same game. Indianapolis improved to 17-11 with the wins while Drury fell to 20-16.
Brady Ware, a baseball player for the University of Indianapolis in Division II, threw a no-hitter and hit for the cycle in the same game. He pitched seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts and went 4-for-4 with five RBIs, a double, a triple, and a home run in a 14-0 seven-inning win. Ware's teammates were thrilled for him, and he identified being 15 minutes late as the key difference for his performance.
Ashland completed their second undefeated season in program history and won the NCAA Division II women's basketball championship for the third time, beating Minnesota Duluth 78-67. Annie Roshak had 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Zoe Miller scored 16 points for Ashland. Brooke Olson scored 26 points for Minnesota Duluth, but they were unable to overcome Ashland's lead.
Nova Southeastern won their first NCAA Division II national championship in program history with a perfect 36-0 season, beating West Liberty 111-101. Will Yoakum scored 31 points and Dallas Graziani added 24 points, nine assists, and three steals. The Sharks became just the sixth undefeated team to win the title in NCAA history. West Liberty's Ben Sarson was ejected after elbowing Yoakum, who played four seasons for the Hilltoppers before transferring to Nova Southeastern.
Nova Southeastern won their first NCAA Division II national championship in program history with a perfect 36-0 season, becoming just the sixth undefeated team to win the title. Will Yoakum scored 31 points and Dallas Graziani added 24 points, nine assists, and three steals in the 111-101 victory over West Liberty. RJ Sunahara fouled out with five minutes left and finished with 28 points for Nova Southeastern, while Bryce Butler led West Liberty with 32 points and nine rebounds. The Sharks set the record for most points by a team in an NCAA men's or women's championship game at any division.
Ferris State coach Tony Annese has been suspended for one game during his team's next NCAA championship playoff game, and the school has been fined $2,500 and ordered to pay $15,383 in restitution to the McKinney Independent School District after two players lit cigars in the locker room following their Division II national title win last season. The school has a strict no tobacco policy on campus, and the NCAA had warned the team not to commit the act again.