March 8, 2006
Top-seeded Embry-Riddle University (Fla.) rolled to an 86-55 win over Sterling College (Kan.) in the first round of the 15th Annual NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2006 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).
With the score tied at 10, Embry-Riddle outscored Sterling 32-14 the last 15 minutes of the first half to take a commanding 42-34 lead at the break. The Eagles shot a blistering 71% from the field in the opening period, including 75% (6-8) three point field goals. Sterling cut the lead to 15 (34-49) with 15 minutes left in the game but the top-seeded team went on a 16-4 run over the next nine minutes to ice the game. Embry-Riddle continued to excel from the floor, shooting 67% for the game and 63% from beyond the arc.
Embry-Riddle was led by junior Ryan Exter with 15 points. Michael Pyle and Denny Joseph added 11 for the well-balanced Eagles, who had 11 players score at least four points. The top-seeded team outrebounded Sterling 38-25 and outscored the Warriors 34-20 in the paint. Embry-Riddle qualified in the 32-team tournament field by winning the Florida Sun Conference Tournament and is making their ninth national tournament appearance.
Sterling was led by junior guard Josh Levere who netted a game-high 21 points on 6-15 shooting. Mandrae Collins was the only other Warrior player in double figures with 18. Sterling shot just 32% from the field and 54% from the free throw line. The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference regular season runner-up end their season with an overall record of 16-15.
Embry-Riddle, now 31-2, advances to the second round for the second consecutive year and will play the winner of Iowa Wesleyan (Iowa) and Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) which will be played today at 1:45 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.
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