Bushnell University

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The 1998-1999 Crusaders gave Northwest Christian College their second consecutive NSCAA National Championship and the eighth in school history with a 24-12 record. It would be the final national title won by the school during the Pre-NAIA Era.

Senior Mitch Naylor ended his Hall of Fame career with a bang, earning his second straight First-Team All-American nod after averaging over 18 points per game. Mike Kosmicki averaged 17.3 points per game and was named an All-American honorable mention.
 
Other members of the 1997-1998 team included Ryan Brummett, Brian Cooper, Greg Gallino, Jeromy Green, Mark Holmes, Aaron Papendieck, Keegan Smith, Aaron Thompson, James Van Hook, and Paul Wright.
 
After opening with a 101-82 victory over Philander Smith in the round of 16, the Crusaders defeated tournament host Kansas Wesleyan University in the quarterfinals 71-69. Naylor scored 16 points in the game and hit the winning basket with 20 seconds remaining.  
 
The Crusaders faced Rochester in the semifinals, and trailed by seven points with just 93 seconds remaining. NCC orchestrated a comeback to tie the game with four seconds remaining and after a botched inbound pass, Naylor once again hit the game-winning shot, this time at the buzzer for a 75-73 victory.
 
The championship game provided less drama as the Beacons rolled past Florida College, 81-58 behind 32 points from Michael Kosmicki.
 
Hall of Fame Coach Dave Lipp was the captain of the ship, assisted by Greg Gittins, Nick Sage, and the late Charlie Roberts. Ryan Stevenson served as a team manager for the team.