March 9, 2007

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - The higher seeded teams continue to fall as #10 Indiana Wesleyan upsets #7 Oregon Tech, 95-82, to reach the quarterfinal round of 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.).

Oregon Tech led by as much as eight in the first half until Indiana Wesleyan scored the final nine points of the half to grab a 37-36 lead. The Wildcats continued to role as the second period began, going up by double digits, 63-53, with 10 minutes left to play. The Hustlin' Owls came back to cut the lead down to one but Indiana Wesleyan proved to be too much down the stretch and earned the upset victory. They registered the third straight upset in the quarterfinal round.

Offensive balance was a key for Indiana Wesleyan as five players scored in double figures. Zach Coverstone led the Wildcats with 20 points and eight rebounds. The freshman made 9-12 field goal attempts and also blocked three shots. Jon Moon scored 19 points, including three from beyond the arc. Moon is the tournament leader in three point baskets thus far with seven in the two games. Indiana Wesleyan continued to shoot well from the field, making 55% of their field goal attempts. They shot 66% from the floor in their first round win over Aquinas College.

Oregon Tech was led by Levell Hesia who scored 22 points and dished out five assists. Ryan Fiegi added 19 points and five rebounds for the Hustlin' Owls, who end their season with a 28-5 record.

Making their first trip to the national tournament, Indiana Wesleyan improves to 30-4 overall and will face either #2 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) or #15 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) in Saturday's quarterfinal game. Tipoff for the game is scheduled for 3:00 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 13.