Shawnee State Advances To NAIA National Championship Game With 82-77 Win Over St. Francis, Ind.

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The Shawnee State University Bears will play in the school’s first mens’ national championship basketball game Tuesday, after taking down Saint Francis, Indiana 82-77 in the NAIA Semifinal Monday night in Kansas City, Missouri.

The Bears will face #3 ranked Lewis Clark State (Idaho) at 8pm, Tuesday. They defeated SAGA, Texas 83-56. Shawnee State is Ranked 5th in NAIA.

SSU had four players in double figures led by Donoven Carlisle’s 19 points, followed by James Jones with 17, Kobie Johnson 14 and E.J. Onu with 10. Nine Bears players scored in the game. Saint Francis had four players in double figures with Antwaan Cushingberry leading with 22 points.

The Bears bench outscored Saint Francis’ bench 41-18.

Shawnee State shot 31/67 from the field- including 10/29 from the arc for 47% and added 10/15 at the foul line.

Saint Francis shot 29/79 from the field- including 13/31 from the arc for 37% and added 6/9 from the free throw line.

Both teams committed 10 turnovers.

Shawnee State improves to (30-2) and goes for the the NAIA crown at 8pm Tuesday.