South Winston Salem News

Carolina University's men's basketball team faced a challenging match in their debut at the NAIA National Tournament, falling to Grace College with a score of 121-69. The game took place on March 14 at the Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center.

Grace College, seeded No. 2, established an early lead through effective shooting and strong defense, ending the first half with a 52-28 advantage. They maintained their momentum throughout the second half, securing a comprehensive victory over Carolina University.

Chris High led Carolina with 19 points, including four three-pointers and two steals. Aundree Polk contributed 16 points along with seven rebounds and six assists. Davon Cottle added 13 points to the Bruins' effort, while Cameron Buchanan scored eight points off the bench.

For Grace College, Ian Raasch was instrumental in their win with 22 points and 12 rebounds. Ian Scott also delivered a perfect performance by scoring 21 points on seven shots without missing. Isaac Schultz provided significant support from the bench with his contribution of 16 points and nine rebounds.

Despite this loss marking the end of their tournament journey, Carolina University's season was noteworthy as they won their first NAIA conference championship prior to this tournament appearance. The experience gained by key players during this season is expected to benefit them in future competitions.