SU Wins NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship!
March 30, 2004

The Mountain State University Cougars hold off Concordia for a 74 - 70 win to capture the NAIA's Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Tuesday at the Municipal Auditorium. The Cougars also met Concordia in the NAIA Championship last year but lost in over time with a final score of 84 - 88.

Mountain State University led for all but 13 second in the first half with a 40 - 24 lead at half time.Concordia was trying to become the 8th team in history to win back to back titles, chipping away at the lead to get with 71 - 70 with 1:16 remaining in the game. Mountain State finished the game by making a series of free throws for fouls on senior guard Zane Gilliard and junior guard Eddie Starks for a final score of 74 - 70.

The Cougar's finished off an impressive 37 - 1season winning its last 17 games. MSU is the first state team to win the NAIA I title since Marshall won it back in 1947.

For additional game information see the Register Herald or the NAIA website.

*Photo Courtesy of Brain Beard, Creative Images*