March 9, 2006

14th seed Oregon Tech avoided the upset bug as they defeated Northwestern (Iowa) 92-83 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.).

In a matchup featuring two of the winningest programs at the national tournament, Northwestern made the game's first run, to turn a 19-19 tie into a 28-19 lead with 8:30 left in the first half. Oregon Tech cut the lead to five at two different points in the first half but trailed 44-37 at the intermission. The Hustlin' Owls began the second half with a 16-4 run to take the lead for good, 53-48, with 16:23 left to play. The Red Raiders cut the lead to one, 56-57, midway through the second period and to three, 79-82, with 2:00 left, but Oregon Tech made their free throws down the stretch to clinch the win.

Oregon Tech was led by the guard tandem of junior Lavell Hesia and senior Andre Lawrence. Hesia scored a game-high 30 points and dished out six assists while his backcourt mate Lawrence netted 23 points and pulled down nine rebounds. Sophomore Ryan Fiegi added 16 while Max Gotzler and Danny Mills scored 11 and 10 points respectively. The Hustlin' Owls shot 46% from the field and committed just seven turnovers in the game. Oregon Tech, making their eighth national tournament appearance, now has 19 wins at the national tournament. The Hustlin' Owls reached the final four last season and won the championship in 2004. The Cascade Collegiate Conference Champions improved to 25-8 overall.

Northwestern College was led by Chad Schuiteman who recorded his 24th double-double of the season with 22 points and 17 rebounds. Sophomores Curt Schilling and Mark De Younge added 17 and 13 points, respectively. Schilling made four of ten three point baskets and grabbed four rebounds. The Red Raiders shot 46% from the field and outrebounded Oregon Tech 46-38. Northwestern was making their 11th national tournament appearance, tied with MidAmerica Nazarene for most all-time, and have the most wins (22) at the tournament. The Red Raiders received an at-large bid into the tournament and ended their season with a 23-8 overall record.

Oregon Tech  will play the winner of the #3 Walsh University (Ohio) and Tennessee Wesleyan game which will be played today at 1:45 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Box Score