March 13, 2008

Defending champion MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) defeated Friends (Kan.) 82-66 in the final game of the first day at the 2008 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championships. The event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

 

The second-seeded Pioneers closed the first half with a 17-5 run en route to a 40-21 lead. MidAmerica shot 60% in the opening half and limited Friends to just 35%.

MidAmerica shot an even better 63% in the second half as they were able to push the lead to over 20 several different times during the final 20 minutes.

 

Four Pioneer players scored in double figures, led by junior center Danny Hawkins with 24 points. Both Adam Hepker and Brenton Bell chipped in 15 points while Austin Boots added 13. MidAmerica Nazarene controlled the boards, 39-20, led by Hawkins who pulled down a game-high 15.

Friends was led in scoring by first team all-KCAC guard Justin Rone with 14. Drew Kanngiesser added 13 in the loss. The Falcons, making their third trip to the national tournament, ends their season with a 19-12 overall record.

 

MidAmerica Nazarene improves to 29-4 overall and advance to the second round for the fifth consecutive year. They will play 15^th-seed Cedarville (Ohio) on Friday at 4:00pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 18.