NCAA Division III faculty wins nationwide championship on wild buzzer beater

The insanity of March isn’t unique to only Division I males’s basketball as two Division III colleges skilled simply how wild the top of the yr can get.

Christopher Newport University (CNU) and Mount Union squared off for the nationwide title on Saturday evening and it got here all the way down to the wire between two of the most effective colleges on the degree.

Christian Parker of Mount Union Purple Raiders drives to the basket towards Caleb Furr of Christopher Newport Captains through the Division III Men’s Basketball Championship on March 18, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/NCAA Photos by way of Getty Images)

Mount Union’s Christian Parker hit a game-tying layup with 4.3 seconds to play. CNU’s Trey Barber caught the inbounds cross close to half-court and drove proper to the ring, banking his shot off the glass and thru the ring for the game-winner as time expired.

Barber completed 25 factors and 10 rebounds as CNU received the sport 74-72, capturing its first NCAA Division III championship in program historical past. Barber was 10-of-25 capturing and had his eighth double-double of the season.

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Christopher Newport Captains gamers cheer through the Division III Men’s Basketball Championship on the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum on March 18, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/NCAA Photos by way of Getty Images)

Jahn Hines added 18 factors for the Captains whereas Caleb Furr had 4 three-pointers and completed with 12 factors.

Parker scored 10 of his career-high 31 factors as a part of a 12-4 Mount Union run. He additionally scored with 17 seconds left to present the Purple Raiders a one-point lead. However, CNU would convert a three-point play earlier than Parker would tie the sport as soon as once more.

He added 4 rebounds and two steals to his whole.

Trey Barber of Captains and Collen Gurley of Purple Raiders chase down a free ball through the Division III Championship on March 18, 2023, in Fort Wayne, Indiana. (Michael Hickey/NCAA Photos by way of Getty Images)

CNU and Mount Union every completed the season 30-3.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.