OAKLAND CITY, IN - The Spring Arbor University Men's basketball team's offensive efforts ran cold in the second half and the Cougars fell short to Dallas Baptist 78-64 in the NCCAA National Championship game.
Spring Arbor (20-15) did more than hold their own against the #1 seeded Patriots in the first half as the Cougars went into the break with a 44-39 halftime lead.
Spring Arbor started the second half hitting just one of its first 11 shots from the field and Dallas Baptist (20-12) took advantage and built a commanding 68-57 lead with a little over four minutes remaining.
"You make shots, you're pretty good," Spring Arbor coach Ryan Cottingham said. "You don't and you're in trouble."
Spring Arbor was looking to win a third NCCAA National Championship banner having won this tournament in 2005 and repeated in 2006. This was the first ever for Dallas Baptist.
Senior DJ Baisden scored 19 points to lead Spring Arbor in his final game. Matt Howe added 13, while senior Willie Pickvet added 12 and Chris Bellamy 11. Pickvet led Spring Arbor with eight rebounds. Pickvet and Baisden were each named to the NCCAA All-Tournament Team.
"It's tough saying good-bye to our two seniors," Cottingham said. "But like I told them, DJ and Willie's roles just change. They're Cougars for life, and they'll be making a difference in other ways now."
Baisden and Pickvet, Pickvet and Baisden? How many times during the last four years have they been a catalyst for the winning combination for this basketball program?
In fact, these two players are just the 9th senior class in school history to graduate two or more players in the 1000 point club. They are the first class since the 1977-78 class to win 20 or more games all four years in their career.
Baisden will leave Spring Arbor 10th in the All-Time Scoring list with 1,773 points, Pickvet will leave 23rd with 1,266.
Pickvet also has a unique distinction. He is only the 13th Cougar to score 1000 or more points and 600 or more rebounds in a career. Pickvet hauled in 615 rebounds during his four years here placing him 18th on the career rebounding list.
But after all the points have been scored and rebounds cleared and the whistles blown, what is left to be said?
"It has been a tremendous joy to coach DJ and Willie throughout their collegiate careers," continued Cottingham. "They are first class young men and have forever left their mark. For them to win 20+ games a season for four straight years is an outstanding accomplishment? they have exceeded expectations! DJ and Willie are "Cougars" for life and we look forward to having them continue to make a difference in their new role. "
