March 9, 2007

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - In the final first round game, #13 Mayville State University (N.D.) defeated William Penn University (Iowa), 101-86, at 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.).

In a game which featured 65 total fouls and 86 attempted free throws, Mayville State took control midway through the opening half and did not trail for the rest of the game. The Comets opened up a seven point lead at halftime and were able to extend it to double digits in the second half. Converting 32 free throws in the second half, Mayville was the first team of the 2007 tournament to surpass 100 points.

Monty Rogers led Mayville State with 29 points. The senior was 12 for 14 from the floor and tallied six rebounds. Matthew Stenehjem added 23 points, including 11 from the free throw line. The Comets shot 55% from the field for the game and made 37 of 60 from the foul line.

William Penn was led by senior Ryan Norman who closed out his collegiate playing career with a tournament high 34 points. He made 18-19 free throw attempts, two shy of the tournament record, and finished with 10 rebounds as well. The Statesmen established a new tournament record with 41fouls, shattering the old record of 36 set by Robert Morris (Ill.) in 2000 and five players fouled out of the game. Playing in their first national tournament since 1983, William Penn ends their season with a 25-9 overall record.

Mayville State will advance to the second round where they will play unseeded Florida Memorial on Friday at 9:15 pm. The Comets are making their third consecutive trip to the national tournament and improve to 24-8 overall.

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