March 9, 2006

Morningside College (Iowa) held off a late rally by Cornerstone University (Mich.) and advanced to the second round with an 87-84 win 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.).

The unseeded Golden Eagles stormed out to a 13-2 lead over tenth-seeded Morningside only to see the senior-laden Mustangs chip away at the lead for the rest of the first half. Morningside took their first lead, 42-39, just before the half when freshman Seth Atkins converted a three point play. With a 43-39 halftime lead, Morningside went on a three point barrage early in the second half and jumped out to their biggest lead at 70-52 with 9:39 left to play. Cornerstone responded with a 22-4 run of their own to tie the game at 74. A three pointer by Thomas Pargett gave the lead back to the Mustangs and Morningside made 10 of 14 free throws in the last two minutes to clinch the win.

Morningside, the Great Plains Athletic Conference Tournament Champion, received great contributions from their reserves, outscoring Cornerstone 57-11 in points off the bench. Leading the way was sophomore guard Thomas Pargett who netted a career-high 23 points. Pargett made 8 of 10 field goals and was a perfect 4-4 from beyond the three point line. Senior Paul McGill was the only other Mustang player in double figures with 14 points. Morningside shot 48% from the field and made 12 of 23 three point field goals for 52%. The Mustangs are making their first ever national tournament appearance at the NAIA Division II Championship.

Cornerstone, the Wolverine-Hoosier Athletic Conference Tournament Champion, had all five starters score in double figures, led by senior guard Josh Liggins with 19. Junior guard Kevin Wurn recorded a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Jim Cochran, John Jonker and Mike Cameron netted 15, 12 and 11 points, respectively.  The Golden Eagles shot 46% from the field but just 22% from the three point line. Cornerstone was making their seventh national tournament appearance and finish the season with a 23-11 overall mark.

Morningside, who improves to 27-6, will play the winner of #7 Warner Pacific (Ore.) and Holy Names (Calif.) which will be played tonight at 9:15 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Box Score