March 8, 2006

13th-seed William Jewell survived against upset-minded Southern Oregon in the first overtime contest in the initial round of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball Championship. The 2006 event is being held at Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

The Cardinals began the game with a 14-2 run to start the game only to see Southern Oregon come storming back to tie the score at 17. William Jewell regained the lead by halftime, 25-23. Neither team led by more than four and the lead changed hands several times in the second half. After senior Kyle Lower made one of two free throws to give William Jewell a 51-48 lead with 34.1 seconds left, senior Raider guard Steve Farley hit a three pointer with 15 seconds left to tie the game at 51 and sent the game into the overtime period. After an early four point lead for Southern Oregon in the extra period, William Jewell took the lead for good with 43.9 seconds left on a lay-up by Drew Mathews, 62-61. Senior Cam Cooper hit three of four free throws down the stretch for the Cardinals to clinch the win for the 13th seed.

William Jewell was led by Heart of America Conference player-of-the-year Drew Mathews with 34 points and 13 rebounds. Junior forward Brandon Argo was the only other player in double figures with 11. The Cardinals shot 44% from the field, just below their season average of 45%. They outrebounded the Raiders 38-34.  William Jewell qualified by way of an at-large berth and is making their fourth consecutive, tenth overall appearance in the NAIA Division II tournament. The Cardinals defeated Tennessee Wesleyan 84-57 last season before losing in the second round to Cedarville (Ohio) 60-67.

Southern Oregon was led in scoring by two-time NAIA All-American and Cascade Collegiate Conference player-of-the-year Shea Washington with 17 points and 11 rebounds. The senior made 6 of 11 field goals before fouling out with under 2:00 left in regulation. Sophomore Matt Cowell added 15 while Erion Moore II chipped in 10. The Raiders struggled from the field, making 22 of 59 field goal attempts for 37% and 4 of 24 three point attempts for 17%. Southern Oregon, who qualified via an at-large berth, was making their third national tournament appearance. They finish with a 23-9 overall record.

William Jewell will face the winner of the Dominican (Calif.) and College of the Ozarks (Mo.) contest scheduled to tipoff at 8:00 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

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