Laker Men Make History

Flint, MI - For the first time in program history, the Mid Michigan College men's basketball team is heading to the national tournament.

The Lakers punched their ticket to the NJCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship with a 79–73 victory over St. Clair County Community College in the Region XII District B Championship Game on Saturday. With the win, Mid Michigan will now wait to learn its opponent before traveling to Danville, Illinois next week for a chance to compete for a national championship.

For head coach Kaleb House, the moment has been a long time coming.

After 14 years leading the program, House said he was proud of the resilience his team showed in a gritty championship performance that finally places the Lakers on the national stage.

The game did not begin the way Mid Michigan hoped. St. Clair came out red hot, hitting its first four shots of the game—all from three-point range—to jump out to a quick 10-point lead. The Lakers spent most of the first half trying to chip away at the deficit and managed to narrow the gap late, heading into halftime trailing by seven points.

Mid Michigan flipped the momentum quickly after the break.

The Lakers opened the second half with a 13–4 run, tightening up defensively and forcing multiple turnovers that allowed them to climb back into the game. As the contest entered the closing minutes, Vynce Overshown delivered a pair of clutch three-pointers that helped push Mid Michigan to a six-point lead.

From there, the Lakers calmly knocked down their free throws down the stretch, sealing the victory and the program's first-ever trip to nationals.

Zack Parks continued his dominant postseason run, finishing with 17 points and 12 rebounds to earn Region XII District B Tournament MVP honors.

Amonti Green recorded a double-double of his own with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Overshown added 17 points, including the pivotal late three-pointers. Christian Zielinski also contributed 11 points in the championship effort.

Parks, Green and Overshown were all named to the All-Tournament Team for their performances throughout the event.

With the victory, the Lakers improve to 25–6 on the season and now turn their attention to the biggest stage the program has ever seen.

Next stop: Danville, Illinois — and the chance to compete for a national championship.