CARTERVILLE, Ill. -- Our countdown of the top local sports moments from 2023 continues, but this time we move to the college scene.
Here are the top 5 college sports moments:
WSIL Sports: Top 5 Local College Moments of 2023
Number 5: The Thrillville Thrillbillies host a playoff game in their inaugural season.
The Billies were a fun team to watch as the new Marion Boys of Summer gave local baseball fans something to cheer about.
Thrillville ended its first season 34-21 overall and ended its season playing in the Western Conference title game.
Number 4: Murray State football played in its 1000th game in program history.
MSU made it a moment to remember. Murray took down Presbyterian College in its season opener 41-10 as the Racers dominated in all three phases of the game.
The victory would be a great way for the navy and gold to open their 99th season of play.
Number 3: Saluki softball captured the Missouri Valley title for the second time in three years.Â
SIUÂ crushed Indiana State 10-2 to win the MVC Tournament Championship and earn a bid to play in the NCAA tournament for the 14th time in program history.
It was the Salukis' third tournament trophy in the last 7 years and the fourth MVC tournament title in school history.
The Dawgs say their dreams to win a title was always the main goal.
Number 2: The SEMO Redhawks men's basketball team won the OVC tournament championship and earned a spot in the big dance for the first time in 23 years.Â
SEMO played in the very first NCAA tournament game of March Madness and posted its first winning season since 2013/2014.
Number 1: John A. Logan's men's basketball team returns to ¾ÅÓÎÌåÓý Illinois as JUCO national champions.
The number one seed volunteers outlasted the defending national champions by just 3 points. Logan got past northwest Florida state 73-30.
Based out of Carterville, the team ended the season going 33 and 2 and won 4 games in 6 days to earn the national crown. It's the first national championship in program history.
Junior college player of the year Curt Lewis says it's now a memory that will last a lifetime.