March 9, 2006

Evangel University (Mo.) became the fourth Heart of America Athletic Conference team to advance to the second round with an 82-74 win over Bellevue University (Neb.) 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.).

After an early Bellevue lead, 15th seed Evangel went on an 11-2 run to take a 15-8 lead at the 12:40 mark in the first half. The Crusaders extended the lead to 10 midway through the first half, before a Bruin run cut the lead to 32-31 with six minutes to go. Evangel increased the lead to 45-35 at intermission and led 60-45 with nine minutes left in the game. Bellevue cut the lead to single digits with under a minute to play but Evangel held on to get the eight-point win.

Senior guard Ryan Luethy led a balanced Evangel attack with 18 points, including 3 of 7 three point field goals. Sophomore Tim Dial posted 13 points while Shane Nicholson and Joel Brown scored 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Crusaders shot 51% from the field and made 23 of 37 free throws for 62%. The Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Champions are making their fifth appearance in the national tournament and join three other HAAC schools in the second round.

The Bellevue Bruins were led in scoring by junior guard Bryce Johnson who tallied 16 points. Joe Webb netted 15 points and grabbed five rebounds for the Bruins. Lucas Hough scored 11 points, including a perfect 3 of 3 from the three point line, before fouling out. Bellevue shot 47% from the field but committed 30 fouls which led to 23 made free throws by the Crusaders. The Bruins were making their fourth consecutive appearance and seventh overall at the national tournament. They received one of the nine at-large berths into the 2006 tournament and end their season with a 24-8 overall record.

Evangel, who improves to 24-10, will play second-seed Huntington College (Ind.) in the second round on Friday, March 10 at 5:45 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Box Score