March 12, 2008

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo.-  It didn't take long for the first upset to occur as Ottawa University (Kan.) defeated eighth-seed King College (Tenn.), 70-65, in the first game of the 2008 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The event is hosted by College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo.
 

Ottawa jumped out to a 13-2 lead during the opening minutes only to have King come back to tie the game at 27 with three minutes left in the first half. Ottawa used a 10-4 run to lead 37-31 at the half.

The Braves pulled ahead by 12 early in the second half and led by 10, 55-45, with 10 minutes to play. King, however, went on a 13-2 run to take their first lead of the second half, 58-57, with four minutes left. A three pointer by David Birch on the ensuing possession put Ottawa back on top and the Braves were able to hold off King the rest of the way for the upset.
 

Ottawa shot 48% for the game and was led in scoring by Phil McClintock with 31 points and 11 rebounds. David Birch, the KCAC Player-of-the-Year, added 14. The Braves earned their first ever win at the national tournament and are making their fourth trip to the championships.
 

King was led in scoring by senior Torrington Cox who closed his career with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Nick Pasqua added 15 points for the Tornados, who shot 42% for the game. The Tornados were making their second straight national tournament appearance and fifth overall. The Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament champion bows out with a 26-8 overall record.
 

Ottawa advances to the second round with a 24-8 record and will play the winner of the #9 Bethel (Ind.) vs Warner Pacific (Ore.) on Friday, March 14 at 8:30am.