Joplin, MO - The Polars Men's Basketball team faced off with Manhattan Christian in the NCCAA DII National Semifinal falling by a score of 69-62.

Early in the first half the Polars took the lead behind buckets from Seth Royston, Jacob Masek, and Cade Carroll. The 12-11 lead was quickly taken back by Manhattan Christian who would then go on a 9-2 run. Buckets from Carter Behne and Carroll brought Crown right back intro it trailing 23-22. The waning minutes would see both teams trade off for the lead and Crown would fal behind by two 38-36 to end the first half.

Then second half saw a very tight battle between the two teams trade buckets. With just over ten minutes to go in the second half Manhattan Christian moved out in front and would hold the lead for the rest of the game. The Polars struggled from the field in the second half and the Polars would fall 69-62.

Seth Royston led the offensive effort with 25 points on the evening. Jacob Masek added 14 points and Micah Ladd scored 10 points as well. Both Cade Carroll and Royston tabbed 9 rebounds apiece to lead the boards. Micah Ladd also added 7 assists.

Crown as a team shot 39.1% going 25-64 from the field and 27% from the field going 10-37. 

The Crown men will move to 19-11 on the year and will play in one final contest in the third place game taking on Great Lakes Christian at 1pm on Saturday.