March 13, 2008

The first day of the 17^th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship saw three teams earn their first ever win at the national tournament. Ottawa (Kan.), Aquinas (Mich.) and Eastern Oregon all picked up opening round victories and advanced to the second round for the first time in their program's history. The 2008 event is being held at Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

The day opened with the only upset of the tournament thus far as Ottawa (Kan.) knocked off eighth-seed King (Tenn.), 70-65.  The Braves will play ninth-seed Bethel (Ind.), who recorded a thrilling 86-73 overtime win over Warner Pacific (Ore.).  Bethel guard Ryne Lightfoot converted a pair of free throws with 11 seconds remaining to send the game into overtime. In the extra period, the Pilots scored the final 14 points to seal the win.

Top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) broke two tournament records as they advanced to the second round with a 111-52 victory over St. Joseph (Vt.). The Bruins made a tournament record 45 field goals and recorded the largest margin of victory ever at the tournament. Bellevue will face 16^th-seed Aquinas (Mich.) in the second round on Friday. Aquinas shot 60% from the field in their 91-66 win over Dakota Wesleyan.

#15 Cedarville (Ohio) advanced to the second round with a convincing 83-59 win over Jamestown College (N.D.). The Yellow Jackets will play second seed and defending champion MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) on Friday, March 14 at 4:00 p.m. The Pioneers began their quest in defending their title in fine fashion as they never trailed in an 82-66 win over Friends (Kan.).

Eastern Oregon, seeded seventh in their first ever trip to the national tournament, had little trouble with Edward Waters (Fla.), 93-62. The Mountaineers will play the host school, College of the Ozarks (Mo. ) in the second round. The 10^th-seeded Bobcats used a big second half scoring run to surge past Indiana University-Southeast, 91-82.  Ozarks advances to the second round for the third straight year.

The 32-team, single elimination tournament continues Thursday, March 13, with the remaining eight games of the first round. Friday features eight games in the second round, with the quarterfinal round on Saturday. The semifinal round will begin on Monday, March 17, followed by the championship game on Tuesday, March 18 at 8:30 pm.

Wednesday First Round Scores:
Ottawa (Kan.)(24-8) def. 38 King (Tenn.)(26-8), 70-65
#16 Aquinas (Mich.)(25-8) def. Dakota Wesleyan (S.D.)(24-9), 91-66
#1 Bellevue (Neb.)(30-3) def. St. Joseph (Vt.)(13-15), 111-52
#9 Bethel (Ind.)(28-6) def. Warner Pacific (Ore.)(22-11), 86-73 OT
#15 Cedarville (Ohio)(23-7) def. Jamestown (N.D.)(23-9), 83-59
#7 Eastern Oregon (26-5) def. Edward Waters (Fla.)(20-12), 93-62
#10 College of the Ozarks (Mo.)(26-5) def. Indiana-Southeast (24-9), 91-82
#2 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)(29-4) def. Friends (Kan.)(19-12), 82-66

Thursday First Round Games:
Bluefield (Va.)(25-7) vs. #13 Northwood (Fla.)(25-7), 8:30 am
Judson (Ill.)(19-8) vs. #4 Walsh (Ohio)(25-4), 10:15 am
Minot State (N.D.)(19-11) vs. #5 Northwestern (Iowa)(27-4), Noon
Oklahoma Wesleyan (25-7) vs. #12 William Penn (Iowa)(28-5), 1:45 pm
Indiana Tech (21-12) vs. #3 Morningside (Iowa)(28-3), 4:00 pm
Grace (Ind.)(24-9) vs. #14 Embry-Riddle (Fla.)(27-6), 5:45 pm
Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio)(23-7) vs. #11 Oregon Tech (26-6), 7:30 pm
Menlo (Calif.)(18-9) vs. #6 Evangel (Mo.)(27-6), 9:15 pm


To view the team and individual leader board, go to the following link:
     http://www.dakstats.com/WebSync/Pages/Tournament/TournamentPage.aspx?association=10&sg=MBB&sea=NAIMBB_2007&tour=113