All good things must end and in this case the ending was pretty sweet. Going into the tournament the Thunder had earned the #3 overall seed and a date with the #6 seeded Bruins from Bob Jones University. The first round game played out well as MCC jumped all over BJU in the first half dominating both the boards and the charity stripe racing out to a 44-27 halftime lead. While the Bruins would make a run in the second half to cut the lead to four MCC would prove to be too tough finishing the contest on their own run to take the game 81-73. As it had been all season, MCC had a balanced scoring effort with four in double figures. The win would advance a Thunder program to the final 4 that had not been there since 2016. 

The final 4 matchup with #2 Campbellsville University-Harrodsburg would prove to be a much different game as the Thunder would never find an offensive rhythm. MCC would fall to the eventual national champion Pioneers by a score of 65-80. The Thunder shot 30% from the field for the game while CUH shot over 40% from three point land and 47% from the field. 

MCC would get one more opportunity in 2022 on Saturday in the NCCAA 3rd Place game as they would have a shot at the #1 overall seed, Great Lakes Christian College. In October the Thunder traveled up to to Michigan and lost to the Crusaders 69-86. This game would be a different story as both teams started their seniors and gave them plenty of run in the game. The game would be a back and forth affair in the first half that would see both teams substituting in platoons with all 16 members in uniform seeing action. MCC would trail by one at intermission. The second half saw more of the same type of action with the Thunder hitting shots on their way to a 79-72 victory and a 3rd place finish at NCCAA Nationals. 

This version of the Thunder finished the season at 24-9 and 11-1 in conference play. The 24 wins are tied for the third most in school history while the trip to the final 4 is only the 4th in school history. The team was led all season by senior Jordan Marshall who earned Conference MVP, Region MVP and 1st Team All-America honors. Jordan White earned 1st team All-Conference and 2nd team All-Region along with being named NCCAA Scholar Athlete. Senior Jeff Butler had a career year and earned HM All-Conference, HM All-Region and NCCAA Scholar Athlete honors. Senior Nate Awbrey was a Maravich Award finalist along with earning NCCAA Scholar Athlete honors. Junior Taymont Lindsey earned All-Tournament honors at the national tournament and junior Ferdinand Handy earned All-Classic honors at the Westerlund Memorial Classic in October. 

"I'm proud of these guys. Everything they've been through as a group over the last two seasons to finish this way with 5 seniors is pretty special," commented Head Coach Jordan Strom

The men's basketball team is headed to the national tournament for the third consecutive season! After a disappointing region tournament that saw the team lose in the quarterfinals to upset minded Dallas Christian College. Despite that set back the Thunder were able to earn an at-large bid to this years NCCAA DII Men's Basketball National Tournament. 

"We're grateful for the opportunity to keep playing. It was a disappointing finish to the regional tournament, but these guys deserved to go with what they accomplished in the regular season," stated Head Coach Jordan Strom. 

During the season the Thunder were able to put together quite the resume that included a regular season and conference tournament championship. The conference titles are the 18th regular season title and 14th tournament title in school history while the 20 win season is the 17th of the kind in school history. MCC has been paced all season by senior Jordan Marshall who was named both conference and region MVP and should be in the conversation for all-American teams. 

The Thunder earned the #3 seed at this national tournament and will take on the South region champions the #6 seed, Bob Jones University at 6:00 pm on Thursday March 10th in Joplin, Mo. Should MCC win that game they would move on to the semi-finals on Friday night at 8:00 pm. If MCC were to lose they would advance to the consolation side of the bracket. 

"Bob Jones is a great team and has great program traditions. Over the years they're one of the teams and one of the brands at the NCCAA level that carries weight and we are excited for the challenge. We know they'll be well coached and will execute their stuff very well and it will be a challenge for us," stated Strom. 

For more information about the tournament follow this link. 

2022 NCCAA National Tournament Seeds:

1. Great Lakes Christian College (MI)
2. Campbellsville University Harrodsburg (KY)
3. Manhattan Christian College
4. Crown College (MN)
5. Arlington Baptist University (TX)
6. Bob Jones University (SC)
7. Ozark Christian College (MO)
8. Emmaus Bible College (IA)

After roaring finishes to the regular season conference schedules the men's and Women's basketball teams hit the road this coming weekend for the Midwest Christian College Conference Tournament being held on the campus of Central Christian College of the Bible in Moberly, Mo. The tournament will begin with quarterfinal action on Thursday February 17 and conclude with championship Saturday on February 19. 

On the women's side of the bracket, the Lady Thunder find themselves as the #4 overall seed after finishing the regular season 6-6 in conference play. Manhattan is coming off of a fiery finish to the regular season winning three of their last four conference games with the only blemish coming on the road to the regular season conference champion, Ozark Christian College. MCC is led by the high scoring dynamic duo of sophomores Roni Harris (20.2 ppg) and Kayleigh Mannering (19.8 ppg). The Lady Thunder open up tournament play on Thursday at 6:00 pm as they take on the Lady Eagles from Faith Baptist Bible College. MCC defeated FBBC twice during the regular season. Should the Thunder advance they would take on the #1 seeded Lady Ambassadors from Ozark Christian on Friday at 6:00 pm. Should MCC lose at any point game times will be posted on their schedule online. 

"We are excited to see how this group does this weekend," stated Head Coach Mindy Eckert. "I'm proud of what they've accomplished this year and they should be too." 

The men's basketball team enters the tournament as the #1 overall seed after winning the regular season conference championship for the 18th time in school history. The win gives the team a bye heading into the weekend and they will await the winner of the #4 Central Christian vs #5 Faith Baptist game. MCC will play the winner at 8:00 pm on Friday night in Moberly, Mo. The Thunder come into the tournament with a balanced attack and ranked #5 nationally. They are led by senior Jordan Marshall (17.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg) and currently sit #3 in the country in assists per game at 17.7. Should MCC advance to the title game they would play at 7:00 pm on Saturday. Should they play in the third place game it would be at 3:00 pm on Saturday. 

"This team has come together over the last several weeks and has been a joy to be around. They continually play for one another and I'm excited to see how they finish this conference season," stated Head Coach Jordan Strom. 

Final Women's Basketball Conference Standings: 

1. Ozark Christian 
2. Barclay College
3. Emmaus Bible 
4. Manhattan Christian 
5. Faith Baptist 
6. Central Christian 
7. Calvary University 

Final Men's Basketball Conference Standings: 

1. Manhattan Christian
2. Barclay College
3. Ozark Christian 
4. Central Christian 
5. Faith Baptist 
6. Emmaus Bible 
7. Calvary University