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Greenville, SC –  The Grace Christian University men's basketball team came out and played some inspired basketball in the NCCAA DII semifinal game against #3 seed Johnson University Tennessee, defeating the Royals 75-51 to advance to Saturday's National Championship Game.

Johnson defeated Grace in the Mideast Regional semifinal game just two short weeks ago in Knoxville, TN, and it was evident that the Tigers were playing determined to not let that happen again right from the tip, storming out to a 10-2 lead and eventually taking an 18-point advantage into the halftime break.  The Tigers were able to resist the Royals' powerhouse offense and their two All-American guards for the final 20 minutes, keeping their comfortable lead throughout the rest of the game and finishing off with the 24-point win.  The 51 points for the Royals was 42 less than their season average of 93 per game.

Austin Jackson (JR/Kentwood, MI) led a balanced attack for the Tigers with 13 points, followed by Grant Garrison (SR/Paw Paw, MI) with 11, and Adam Kregel (JR/Grand Rapids, MI) with 10.  Brandon Winchester-Jones (JR/Dowagiac, MI) and Jerome Cobb (FR/Detroit, MI) controlled the game beautifully from the point guard spot, combining for 18 points, 7 assists, and 0 turnovers.

For the first time in NCCAA history, it will be an all-Michigan National Championship, with a vastly improved Great Lakes Christian College team winning the other side of the bracket in their first ever National Tournament appearance.  The two teams split during the regular season, setting the stage for what is sure to be a very competitive final game at 6:00 pm at Bob Jones University's David Fieldhouse.

Video (Highlights + Interviews with Coach Bailey and Jerome Cobb)