Month: October 2025

URBE Takes Early Lead in NSAC Standings

LEESBURG, Fl. – New South Athletic Conference newcomer URBE University has gotten off to a fast start, getting two wins in its first two conference games to stand alone in the standings just a week into the season.

The URBE Tigers and Beacon College Blazers opened the season in unforgettable fashion at the NSAC Tip-Off Classic last Friday night, battling through a marathon 114–109 four-overtime showdown. Beacon displayed relentless determination, answering every URBE surge with clutch baskets down the stretch. Tre’von Redd led the charge early, tallying 28 points and hitting the game-tying shot at the end of regulation to send the contest into overtime.

In the first extra period, Javeon Wells-Reddick came up big, sinking a late bucket to tie the game once more and keep the Blazers’ hopes alive. As the battle wore on, Noah Wilhelm added to the drama with a fadeaway buzzer-beater at the end of the third overtime, forcing a fourth and final frame. Wilhelm finished with a strong 20-point performance, earning roars from the home crowd with his clutch shot-making.

But it was Tiger freshman Luis Carias who proved to be the workhorse of the night, slicing his way to 46 points to lead all scorers and his team to its first varsity victory in school history. Ernesto Hichez led all Beacon scorers with a stellar 32 points.

Then on Tuesday, Carias again led the URBE charge, scoring 21 points in a 65-48 road win over Southeast Christian.

Both teams were slow out of the gate, but the Tigers began to gain traction approaching the midpoint of the first half, jumping out to a 21-2 lead with just over eight minutes to play before halftime. It was then that the Eagles began to execute, reeling off 13 unanswered points to cut the lead to six, 21-15, with 3:58 remaining. URBE headed into intermission with a 31-21 lead.

But the second half resumed the Tigers’ torrid pace as they extended their lead to as many as 22, 47-25, with 12:53 to play. Once again, Southeast chipped away, trimming the deficit to nine with 3:12 to go, but could get no closer.

With the win, URBE improves to 2-0 and first place in conference play while SECC falls to 1-1 and 0-1 in conference play.

Thanks to Beacon College Athletics for their help with this story.

Mustangs Win Home Opener 111-53

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – The Mid-Atlantic Christian University men’s basketball stampeded through the Central International College Cardinals in the Mustangs’ home opener, 111-53, on Tuesday night. The Mustangs built a 30-point lead at halftime and carried that momentum into the second half. All players scored during the action and played significant minutes.

The Mustangs were led in scoring by Janai WIlliams and Quintes Yarbrough with 12 points each. Tyus Williams and Andre Bowles followed closely with 10 points. Keondre Rodges led the team in rebounding with nine and Latrell Thompson added in six.

Coach Sims commented, “Today’s home opener win was what the team needed. Everyone was fixed and focused on their roles and the game plan. We had the opportunity to play several reserve players and their contribution was good. We still have work to do as we continue to get better.”

MACU will play next on Saturday, November 2nd in an NSAC matchup against South Carolina Central Christian College.

Story courtesy of MACU Athletics

Apprentice Tops Coaches Poll for Third Straight Year

For the third straight year, Apprentice is the choice of the league’s coaches to come out on top in the NSAC men’s basketball standings in 2025-26.

The Builders, fresh off back-to-back USCAA national championships, received all but one possible first place vote in a poll of New South basketball coaches. Second-year coach Michael Gainey returns five players from last year’s team including All-American Donovan Means.

Lighthouse Christian, the defending conference champion, returns two-time conference MVP Eddie Brown and was voted to finish second. Mid-Atlantic Christian was selected third and received the other first-place vote. Atlantis and Beacon round out the top five.

2025-26 NSAC Men’s Basketball Coaches Poll:

  1. Apprentice (78 votes) (Seven first place votes)
  2. Lighthouse Christian (64)
  3. Mid-Atlantic Christian (57) (1)
  4. Atlantis (51)
  5. Beacon (43)
  6. Barber-Scotia (38)
  7. SC Central Christian (29)
  8. Southeast Christian (26)
  9. Millennia Atlantic (23)
  10. Westgate Christian (17)
  11. URBE University (14)

Image courtesy Katelyn Olson/@shotsbyk8lyn

SC Central Visiting Tennessee Tech Tonight

COOKEVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Tech men’s basketball hosts South Carolina Central Christian for an exhibition game at The Eblen Center at 6 p.m. Central time on Tuesday, Oct. 21.

Head Coach John Pelphrey and the Golden Eagles show off the new and returning members of the roster to begin the year.

Tech men’s basketball returns JaJuan Nicholls, Mekhi Cameron, Grant Slatten from the 2024-25 squad, and has added Malik Ferguson, Jah’Kim Payne, Mekhi Turner, Ja’Quavian Florence, Brandon Muntu, Ty Owens, Dani Pounds, C.J. McPherson, and Owen Varnado as experienced transfers to the roster.

Cameron and Nicholls are the top returning scorers for the Golden Eagles with Cameron averaging 8.7 points per game and Nicholls appeared in 23 games with 15 starts, shooting 85-143 from the field (59.4%), 25-51 (49.0%), and totaled 195 points during the 2024-25 season. He averaged 18.4 points per 40 minutes played and 18.4 minutes per game. Nicholls grabbed 95 total rebounds with 35 offensive and 60 defensive boards. Both players were named players to watch by the OVC prior to Media Day.

Colin Ayers, Maguire Evans, Jacobe Whitted, Hagan Preston are additions out of the high school ranks to the 2025-26 roster.

South Carolina Central Christian makes its way to Cookeville out of the New South Athletic Conference. The Gladiators are led by Travis Stroud with 14.0 points per game, Taivon McPherson who averaged 14.0 points per game and grabbed 9.3 rebounds per contest, Daquan Ramey, who averaged 12.0 points per game, and Kevin Butler with 9.7 points per game and 5.7 rebounds per contest.

Story and image courtesy Tennessee Tech Athletics Media Relations