March 9, 2006

Unseeded Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) upset 11th seed Southwestern College (Kan.) 75-60 in the first game of day two in the first round of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II 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 17 with 7:52 left in the first half, Cardinal Stritch outscored Southwestern 18-10 to take a 35-27 halftime lead. The Wolves extended their lead to ten, 40-30, at the start of the second half before the Moundbuilders outscored Cardinal Stritch 17-9 over to cut the lead to 49-47 with 10:50 left. Cardinal Stritch, however, responded by outscoring the 11th seed 26-13 the rest of the way to record the upset.

Cardinal Stitch, who improves to 25-8 on the season, was led by junior guard Marquelle Joyner who scored a game-high 36 points. He made 11 of 19 field goals and was 12 of 15 from the charity stripe. Joyner also pulled down eight rebounds. Ronald Bell and Linnie Balfour scored 15 and 12 points, respectively. The Wolves shot an even 50% from the field and 68% from the free throw line. The Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champions are making their sixth national tournament appearance and advance to the second round for the fourth time.

Southwestern College was led by senior guard Ricky Kendrick who netted 26 points, including six three point field goals. The 2005 conference player-of-the-year made 9 of 20 field goal attempts and ends his two-year career at Southwestern with over 1,000 points. Fellow senior Rico Marquez was the only other Moundbuilder player in double figures with 14. Southwestern struggled from the field, shooting just 35% for the game. The Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference Tournament Champions were making their second appearance in the national tournament and first since 1998. They end their season with a 28-4 record, which was the most wins in the school's history.

Cardinal Stritch will play the winner of the MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and #6 Indiana Southeast game that will be played today at 10:15 am. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Box Score