The host teams for the NJCAA Regional Basketball Tournaments gave the home fans thrilling wins in the semi-finals on Friday.

The North Arkansas College Men opened the four-game day at Pioneer Pavilion and escaped with a 75-74 win over Southeast Arkansas as Na'Kylan Starks knocked down two free throws with 1.4 seconds left to secure the win. Starks had grabbed a rebound of a missed Pioneer shot then was fouled to set-up the game winning free throws. The Pioneers will play SAU Tech in the Championship Game this afternoon at 1:00. SAU Tech also survived a tough semi-final matchup as they held off ASU Newport 64-62.

The Lady Pioneers closed out the four-game day and also secured a close win, edging out Shorter College 69-68. The Lady Pioneer win came after Shorter grabbed a 68-59 lead with just under four minutes to play. North Ark finished the game from there on a 10-0 run, the final two on free throws by Keely Blanchard with 2.5 seconds then held off a last second shot to go to move into the Championship Game this afternoon at 3:00 against top seed National Park, who had the only blowout win of the day, 84-64, over  UA Cossatot.

Today's championship winners will move to the Central Plains District Tournament next week.