March 8, 2007

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -#2 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) survived an upset bid by Trinity International (Ill.) as they defeated the Trojans 69-59 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.).

The Pioneers never trailed and jumped out to a 17-point lead midway through the opening half. Trinity International cut the lead down to eight, scoring the final five points, to trail 28-36 at intermission. MidAmerica Nazarene pulled away early in the second half before the Trojans attempted one last comeback bid. Trailing by just four with under five minutes to play, Trinity International was outscored 8-2 the rest of the way to fall to the second-seeded Pioneers.

Danny Hawkins recorded a double-double with 20 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Pioneers. Adam Hepker, the Heart of America Conference Player-of-the-Year, added 17 points for MidAmerica Nazarene. Defensively, they limited the Trojans to just 34% from the field and just 26% from beyond the arc.

Trinity International was led by Josh Edmon with 20 points. The nation's third leading scorer made 7 of 17 field goal attempts and also pulled down six rebounds. Jerry Banks was the only other Trojan player in double figures with 11. Trinity ends their season with an 14-20 overall record.

MidAmerica Nazarene advances to the second round where they will play #15 Mount Vernon Nazarene, who defeated Dakota Wesleyan in a dramatic, 73-72 victory earlier in the day. Tipoff for the second round game on Friday will be at 1:45 pm. The Pioneers improve to 30-2 overall.

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