March 12, 2008

In the first overtime game of the tournament, ninth seeded Bethel (Ind.) defeated Warner Pacific (Ore.), 86-73, in the first round of the 17^th annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2008 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

It was Warner Pacific that took control early, jumping out to a 21-11 lead. Bethel outscored the Knights 10-2 over a three minute stretch to pull within two, 23-21. Warner Pacific led by three, 37-34, at intermission.

The lead switched hands several times in the second half as neither team was able to pull away. With the score tied at 57, Warner Pacific outscored Bethel 9-2 to take a seven point lead with three minutes to play. The Pilots, however, battled back and tied the score at 70 on a pair of free throws by Ryne Lightfoot with 11 seconds left. On the ensuing possession, Warner Pacific forward Jeremy Reedal nailed a three pointer from the top of the key as time expired; however, it was waived off after the ball hit the top support.

In the overtime period, the Knights grabbed the lead, 73-72, but Bethel came back to score the final 14 points of the game to earn the win.

Bethel, the Mid-Central conference regular season and postseason champions, shot 46% for the game and was led by sophomore forward Tyler Brown with 28 points. William Walker recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. He also dished out a game-high seven assists.

Warner Pacific was led by senior guard Scott O'Gallagher who closes out his brilliant career with 29 points. Jalonta Martin added 15 points and eight rebounds for the Knights. WPU was making their third consecutive trip to the national tournament and ends their season with a 22-11 record.

Bethel, who improves to 28-6 overall, will now face unseeded Ottawa (Kan.) on Friday morning at 8:30 a.m. in the second round. Ottawa recorded the tournament's first upset in the first game of the day, 70-65. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 13.