Wildcats win A.I.I. Championship

Johnson & Wales University defeated the Ohio Dominican University Panthers to secure their berth to the 19th Annual NAIA National Tournament in Branson, Missouri. The defending A.I.I. champions looked to use the home court to their advantage as they took on the visiting Panthers in the title game. The Wildcats quickly jumped out to a dominating 10 lead in the first four and a half minutes of play. The Panthers finally got on the board with a pair of free throws from Aaron Gibbs. ODU found their momentum as they used the next seven minutes to bring the game back within reach using JWU fouls to their advantage. The Wildcats went into the half up 31-30. Second half action continued much as the closing minutes of the first half did, with each team going basket for basket to try to control the tempo of the game and keep the ball in their favor. Ethan Fisher kept knocking down big shots when they were needed to maintain the 'Cats momentum in the closing minutes. Fisher ended the game with 12 points while Nate Lark added 18 in JWU's 65-60 victory over Ohio Domincian. Fisher was named the tournament MVP following the final buzzer as JWU was bestowed their second consecutive Association of Independent Institutions Conference Championship.