For the first time in school history, Washington Adventist who are coached by Bermudian Sullivan Phillips has won the USCAA Men’s Basketball Division I National Championship.
In one of the lowest scoring Men’s Division I Finals in recent memory, Washington Adventist got just enough from Tournament MVP Anthony Berry and All-Tournament team member Tyrus Fleetwood to knock off the #6 Tennessee Temple 61 - 38.
The Washington Adventist’s defense was the difference in the tournament. During the tournament they held each opponent to under 40% shooting from the field. USCAA 2nd Team All-American Eric Lindsey had an off night shooting, but finished with 12 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals to lead his team defensively. Washington Adventist were able to force Tennessee Temple into 21 turnovers and capitalize with 20 points.
Tennessee Temple’s shooting struggles stretched further than the field. As a team they shot just 5-14 from the free-throw line (35.7%). Tennessee Temple, who defeated Victory University and The Apprentice School on their road to the finals, were led by USCAA Honorable Mention All-American Elliot Johnson’s 12 point and 9 rebound effort. No other Crusader player managed to finish in double digits.
Fleetwood got Washington Adventist off to a hot start in the game. He went 5-5 from the field in the first-half, scoring 10 points, and leading his team to a 28-17 edge at halftime. Berry finished with 15 points, concluding an impressive tournament performance at both ends of the court. Fleetwood scored 15 points and added 9 rebounds in the winning effort.
For Tennessee Temple, making their first trip to Uniontown, the cold shooting night was unforeseen. Just two days after going 8-20 (40%) from the three-point line to power a high-octane offense against The Apprentice School, Tennessee Temple went just 3-14 from long-distance and could never manage to get back into the game. Tennessee Temple University finishes its season 21-10.
Washington Adventist University managed to hold off Robert Morris University-Springfield in the first round before upsetting #1 seed Daemen College in the Semi-Finals in their road to the Championship.
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