March 8, 2006

Fifth-seeded Mayville State (N.D.) defeated Daemen College (N.Y.) 82-56 in the opening game of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2006 event is being held at Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

The Comets were led by Gilby Sanchez  and Monty Rogers with 19 and 17 points, respectively. Sanchez, a 5-8 senior guard, made five of eight three point shots to lead Mayville State, which shot 47% (8-17) from beyond the arc. John Fergo was also in double figures with 13 points and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Mayville out-rebounded Daemen College 40-30 and committed just ten turnovers in the contest. The Comets are making their fifth overall and second consecutive appearance in the national tournament. They lost to Oregon Tech (67-60) in the opening round last season.

Daemen College was led by the senior guard tandem of Joe Olsen and Therreon Blackwell who scored 15 and 13 points, respectively. Olsen shot 3-7 from the field, including 2-3 from the three point line, and was 7-12 from the charity stripe. Blackwell made 5-12 field goal attempts and was 2-3 from the free throw line. Both players dished out two assists. The Wildcats shot just 35% from the field, well below their season average of 49%. Daemen was making their third national tournament appearance after capturing the American Mideast Conference North Division Championship. They end their season with a 20-12 overall record.

Mayville State improves to 26-5 on the season and will face the winner of the Montreat (N.C.) and Sioux Falls (S.D.) contest scheduled to tip-off at 10:15 am. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Box Score