Category: MACU

MACU Sees Lead Slip Away at SC State 56-50

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Mid-Atlantic Christian let a second-half lead slip away Wednesday night, falling 56-50 to NCAA Division 1 foe South Carolina State.

The Mustangs (6-10 overall, 2-0 NSAC) led the majority of the game and carried a 34-27 advantage into halftime but managed just 16 points after the break as the Bulldogs tightened defensively and controlled the tempo down the stretch.

Janus Shepherd led MACU with 21 points, hitting 8 of 18 shots from the floor and knocking down four 3-pointers. Terrance Williams added nine points, while Elijah Dias chipped in six for the Mustangs.

South Carolina State (4-16) was paced by Obie Bronston Jr. with 18 points, while Chris Parker and Florian Tenebay combined for 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Mid-Atlantic Christian struggled at the foul line and committed key turnovers late as South Carolina State closed the game with timely free throws. The Bulldogs outscored the Mustangs 29-16 in the second half to seal the comeback.

Graphic courtesy MACU Athletics

Mustangs Stampede Sabers 95-72

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Janus Shepherd scored 19 points and Mid-Atlantic Christian used a dominant first half to pull away for a 95-72 win over Barber-Scotia in an NSAC men’s college basketball game Monday evening.

MACU (6-9 overall, 2-0 NSAC) jumped out to a 51-27 halftime lead and never looked back, outscoring the Sabers in points in the paint and on second-chance opportunities. Shepherd went 8 of 19 from the field and added three rebounds, while Stew Clough finished with 12 points and four rebounds. Terrence Williams also added 12 points, Nikko Trafton had 11 and Elijah Dias contributed 10, helping MACU overwhelm Barber-Scotia with balanced scoring.

“The guys came out focused on defending home court,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “They saw what Barber-Scotia just did at Apprentice, and they were determined not to let that happen here.”

Barber-Scotia (6-6, 2-2) was led by Londen Roseman, who scored 24 points on 9-of-18 shooting. Nicholas Gravely added 14 points and four rebounds, and Channing Beadles chipped in 14 off the bench. The Sabers shot 42.2% from the field but struggled defensively in the opening half.

MACU finished at 45.9% shooting and held a 53-36 rebounding advantage.

Mustangs Roll Past WWC 89-66

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian University used a dominant first half to pull away from Warren Wilson College and cruised to an 89–66 non-conference victory Wednesday night.

The Mustangs outscored the Owls 49–43 after halftime and shot 55.3% from the field in the second half to turn a manageable halftime lead into a comfortable win. MACU (5-9 overall, 1-0 NSAC) finished the game shooting 48.1% overall and held Warren Wilson to 41.7%.

“This was great victory for the team,” said Mustangs head coach Charles Sims. “We played a tough first half of the season against NCAA DI, DII and DIII opponents that prepared us for games like today.”

Janus Shepherd led the Mustangs with 20 points, hitting three 3-pointers and adding five rebounds. Stewart Clough added 13 points and five rebounds, while Tyus Williams chipped in 10 points and six boards.

“The team’s mindset from the start was to defend our home court, and they did exactly that,” Sims added. “Janus Shepherd’s contribution for the team was tremendous along with Stew Clough and Tyus Williams. This was an all-out team effort, and now we must continue to take a one-game-at-a-time approach to reach the vision that the team has for completing this season.”

Warren Wilson was led by Kharye Bland, who scored 15 points, and Tyah Williams, who added 13, but the Owls struggled from long range, making just 4 of 24 attempts from beyond the arc.

MACU forced 22 turnovers and turned them into 25 points, helping the Mustangs build a lead that grew to as many as 29 points in the second half.

Image courtesy Carl Lewis

Mustangs, Builders Split Series at Roger Taylor Invitational

ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Tyus Williams poured in a game-high 30 points to lift Mid-Atlantic Christian University to an 85-82 victory over Greensboro College on Saturday in a back-and-forth battle that featured 10 ties and nine lead changes at the Roger Taylor Invitational.

Williams, a senior forward, was unstoppable from beyond the arc, hitting 4 of 6 three-pointers while adding five rebounds and two assists. His layup with 47 seconds remaining gave Mid-Atlantic Christian an 83-82 lead it would not relinquish.

“We knew it would come down to execution in the clutch,” said Mid-Atlantic Christian coach Charles Sims. “Tyus stepped up huge. We capitalized on their mistakes.”

The Mustangs also drained 9 of 16 three-pointers (56.3%) and leaned on 20 bench points to build a 44-43 halftime edge. Janus Shepherd chipped in 11 points and three assists for the Mustangs, while Clough nearly posted a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds.

In Friday’s game, MACU got a game-high 32 points from Janus Shepherd but fell to host NC Wesleyan 100-83.

In Friday’s opener, fellow New South member Apprentice School’s Shamon Rosser erupted for 20 of his 24 points in the second half, powering the Builders to a stunning 84-77 comeback victory over Greensboro.

Rosser, a guard/forward, was nearly perfect from the field (6-for-7) and solid from the free-throw line (11-for-17), adding eight rebounds and two steals to help Apprentice erase a 35-21 halftime deficit. The Builders outscored the Pride 63-42 after the break, shooting an eye-popping 74.1% from the field in the second half.

On Saturday, Apprentice struggled against NC Wesleyan, falling 66-51. Builder sophomore forward Jahlil Hope tied for leading scorer with 14 points.

Image courtesy Carl Lewis

Mustangs Dispose of Wolves 83-68

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — Mid-Atlantic Christian University dominated Cheyney University 83–68 on Wednesday night, using a balanced scoring effort and a dominant first half to secure the nonconference win.

MACU (3-4) built a 44–30 halftime lead behind efficient shooting, then held off the Wolves despite a stronger second-half push from Cheyney. Andre Bowles led the Mustangs with 16 points while Janus Shepherd, Stewart Clough and Tyus Williams each added 12. MACU shot 52.5% from the field and finished 17 of 26 from the free-throw line.

“Our guys needed the Thanksgiving break,” said Mustangs coach Charles Sims. “We came back ready to play for each other.”

Cheyney was paced by Gabriel Altemus, who scored 19 points on 6-of-9 shooting including 4-of-7 from three. The Wolves shot just 31.5% from the field and were 8 of 30 from beyond the arc.

MACU held a 48-40 rebounding advantage and led by as many as 23 points. Cheyney closed the gap to 14 in the second half but never threatened the lead.

The Mustangs return to action Friday night facing NC Wesleyan in the Bishops’ Roger Taylor Invitational at Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Apprentice also participates in the event Friday facing Greensboro College before switching opponents on Saturday.

Image courtesy MACU Athletics

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

Sims Adds Two Coaches to MACU Staff

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. – Mid-Atlantic Christian men’s head basketball coach Charles Sims is welcoming two new coaches for the 2025-26 season.

Courtni Clay has been named MACU Master Resilience Coach. With over 15 years of experience in HR leadership, mindset coaching, resilience training, and personal development, Coach Courtni Clay blends science, strategy, and storytelling to create powerful, lasting breakthroughs. As a U.S. Army Officer and certified Master Resilience Trainer, Coach Courtni will bring a unique combination of discipline, empathy, and real-world insight.

“Coach Courtni will focus on building mental toughness and strengthening character through the development of specific resilience skills, said Sims, who served with Clay in the U.S. Army. “These skills will enable each player to better adapt to stress and adversity during the long season preventing issues like depression and anxiety. By developing these mental skills, all players can enhance their performance, cope with the demands of the game, and ultimately achieve greater success.”

Coach Court attended the University of Phoenix where she received a Masters in Human Services and Management and she also attended Ashford University where she received her Masters in Organizational Management and Human Resources.

Coach Thomas Bentley will be joining the Mustangs for the 2025-26 season as Player Development Coach. He grew up close to MACU in Portsmouth, Virginia and attended Stonebridge School. Thomas played his collegiate career at Regent University before going on to Liberty University as a manager. He spent two seasons as a manager and one as a volunteer under head coach Ritchie McKay.

“Thomas brings experience with him from winning programs, and a passion for helping players grow that we are excited to have join the staff,” said Sims. Thomas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science: Strength and Conditioning.

“There’s more that’s ahead for us this season as we have unfinished business to attend to that was left in Buffalo,” added Sims, recalling the Mustangs’ first round loss in the USCAA Nationals in March. “Looking forward to another great season of success. Let’s go MACU!!!”

Apprentice Cruises, MACU falls in National Quarterfinals

BUFFALO, N.Y. – The fourth-seeded Apprentice School men’s basketball team put up big numbers in the second half to advance to the USCAA semifinals with a 85-61 win over No. 5 Southeastern Illinois Tuesday night at Burt Flickinger Arena. Meanwhile, sixth-seed Mid-Atlantic Christian lost a hard-fought battle with No. 3 Villa Maria 60-55, ending the Mustang’s first appearance in the national tournament.

With the win, the Builders will take on No. 8 Berkeley in the semifinals Thursday at 5:30 p.m. at Burt Flickinger Arena. The Knights knocked off top-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse, 81-68, in their quarterfinal.

Both teams came out firing in a back-and-forth affair, finding themselves tied up at 11-11 five minutes into the contest. The Builders tried to pull away, extending their lead to six, but the Falcons fought back to retake the lead at 23-20 with 6:54 to go in the first half. Apprentice answered with a 12-0 run to regain the advantage before SIC responded with five straight points to cut the lead back to 32-28. The Builders finished the half on a 6-2 run to take a 38-30 lead into intermission.

From there, the game was firmly in the hands of the defending national champs. After the start of the second half teetered around a 14 point lead for Apprentice, the Builders went on a 21-3 run to extend their lead to 70-40 midway through the second period. The Falcons never really caught any momentum from that point on as the Builders held the lead around the 20 point mark the remainder of the game to advance to the semifinals for a third consecutive season.

Adrion Wall, the Player of the Year for USCAA Division I, led all scorers with 19 points, coming up one rebound and three assists shy of a triple-double. He also added a block and two steals to his stat line without turning the ball over. Donovan Means added 13 points with seven boards while playing in foul trouble, and Wayne Hedgepeth came off the bench to add 12 points.

Story and image courtesy Apprentice Athletics

Apprentice, MACU Representing NSAC in Small College Tournament

BUFFALO, N.Y. – For the first time, the New South Athletic Conference has sent two teams to the USCAA Division I Small College National Tournament which begins tonight.

Apprentice, which received a fourth seed, will start its defense of the national championship against fifth-seeded Southeastern Illinois in the opening round Tuesday in Buffalo, New York. Apprentice is on the same side of the bracket as top-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Syracuse and eighth-seeded Berkeley.

Mid-Atlantic Christian is in the tournament for the first time in program history. The sixth-seeded Mustangs will take on No. 3 Villa Maria. Last year’s runner-up Lyon claimed the No. 2 seed and will take on seventh-seeded Bryant & Stratton-Buffalo. The Bobcats are co-hosting the event with Villa Maria. round.

Live video will be made available for every game of the tournament courtesy of the USCAA Sports Network on a pay-per-view basis. Live stats will also be available for every game.

Story courtesy Walker McCrary/Apprentice Athletics

Lighthouse Claims First NSAC Tourney Championship

MILTON, Fla. – Daniel Poole scored 22 points, 18 in the second half, as Lighthouse Christian pulled away for an 87-76 win over Mid-Atlantic Christian in the 2025 NSAC Men’s Basketball Championship Sunday afternoon.

MACU led the entire first half, by as many as 11 points, before Lighthouse closed the gap to 42-38 at halftime. But the second half belonged to the Makos, who took their first lead, 47-46, just over two minutes into the final stanza, a lead they would not relinquish.

Sam Benton, Jr. and Eddie Brown each added 17 for Lighthouse, followed by Wol Yak with 10.

Stewart Clough led the Mustangs with 19 points. Keith Shakes, Jr. chalked 14 points and 12 boards before picking up his fifth foul with a little more than seven minutes to play. Janus Shephard and Ty Williams also scored 14 apiece.

The championship ends the season for Lighthouse, a national independent, but Mid-Atlantic now awaits its fate in Monday’s USCAA National Championship Bid Show.