March 7, 2007

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - College of the Ozarks (Mo.) defeated #14 seed Saint Francis (Ind.), 91-59, in the first round of the 16th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2007 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

After a close back and forth game through the first 10 minutes of the game, the host Bobcats held a slim three point lead (21-18) with 9:07 remaining in the half. Ozarks then went on a 22-10 run to close out the first half taking a 15-point, 43-28, intermission lead. In the second half, the Bobcats opened the lead to 19 points after eight minutes of play closing out the game out-scoring Saint Francis 31-20 for the victory.

College of the Ozarks had all starters scoring in double-digits with Drew Ray leading the attack with 19 points. Michael Bonaparte and Chris Pullen combined to shoot 13 of 23 for 17 points each, Pullen adding a game-high 10 rebounds. Rounding out the starters in double-figures, Daniel Bandy with 13 and Stephen Friar with 10. The Bobcats as a team shot 62% (37 of 59) for the game and 38% (5 of 13) from behind the arc.

Fourteenth seeded University of Saint Francis had a team-high 13 points from Trey Eaton while Mike Steinau was the only other player in double-digits for the Cougars netting 12 points. Ryan Bradley added 7 points and 7 rebounds while the Cougars pulled down 35 rebounds as a team.

The College of the Ozarks Bobcats advance to the second round with a 21-10 record. The Cougars of the University of Saint Francis will finish the season at 22-11. The host Bobcats will play unseeded Spalding (Ky.) on Friday, March 9 at 5:45 p.m.

For more information on the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship visit www.naia.org.