Historic Season Ends In Heartbreak For Lakers

LIVONIA, Mich. – Roosevelt's historic season ended in heartbreak Friday night as 13^th-seeded Shawnee State upset the fourth-seeded Lakers 92-77 in the first round of the 2024 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championships in Livonia, Mich.

The Lakers (25-5) had their chances early and often against the Bears to close the deficit, but never assumed full control of the momentum. Even though Shawnee State led by 10 midway through the first half, the explosive nature of the Roosevelt offense was on display as the lead shrunk to four within three minutes. It hovered around two points for most of the rest of the half until the Bears took a five-point lead into intermission.

In the second half, Roosevelt finally got over the hump and not only tied the game for a third time, but took its first lead since it was 2-0 on a Forte Prater layup. The Bears came down to reclaim the lead on their next possession, and the Lakers never were able to tie the game again the rest of the way. The Lakers got to the free throw line 18 times in the second half, but made just 4 of 13 from 3-point range as the Bears pulled away.

The loss ended the collegiate career of Cody Mitchell, who left no doubts that he left everything on the court. The graduate student transfer scored a season-best 25 points, the second-most points in his entire five-year college career, and added a team-high 10 rebounds as well. The St. Charles native bullied his way through the Bears defense, finishing 9 of 13 from the field and 6 of 9 from the foul line in the loss.

Julio Montes II added 20 points in the setback while Prater chipped in 12 and Maurice Commander scored 13 points in his final college game.

Although Roosevelt fell one victory shy of tying the program-record for wins in a season, this year's Lakers did capture the first and only Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference title in program history. The Lakers reached a new height with a program-best No. 11 ranking and went an impressive 18-2 in conference play this season. The Lakers also had four players named to the all-CCAC squads as well as the CCAC Coach of the Year, Dee Brown.

The Lakers now embark on a new challenge as they move into the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference starting next season. Montes is scheduled to be one of several key returners set to come back  to lead Roosevelt into its NCAA Division II era.