March 11, 2006

[Complete Bracket and Results]

[Individual Stat Leaders | Team Stat Leaders] (through quarterfinals)

The quarterfinals of the of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship featured the #3 seed Walsh (Ohio) Cavaliers falling to unseeded MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) and the host #4 College of the Ozarks running past #5 Mayville State (N.D.). The 2006 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

The day opened with arguably the biggest upset of the tournament with Walsh losing to MidAmerica Nazarene. The Pioneers overcame a 13-point first half deficit and shot 70% percent from the field in the second half to shock the defending champs, 74-68. Jacob Nellor led MidAmerica with 19 points and Danny Hawkins chipped in with 17 points and a game-high 11 rebounds. This is MidAmerica's first trip to the semifinals since losing in the 2001 championship game. Jason Hicks had 21 to pace the Cavaliers (27-7).

MidAmerica (25-10) will take on #2 Huntington (Ind.) in Monday's first semifinal at 6 p.m. The Foresters rallied from an 11-point second half deficit to defeat #10 Morningside (Iowa), 82-70. They shot 68% from the field in the second half while holding the Mustangs to just 31%. Kyle Ganton led the Foresters (31-5) with 20 points, Kyle Benge finished with 19 points, Doug Scheckler added 17 points, and Alex Kock contributed 16 points and 11 rebounds. This is Huntington's first trip to the semifinals since 2000. Brad Schmit finished with 21 points for Morningside (28-7).

No. 8 Lindenwood University (Mo.) got past #16 Mt. Vernon Nazarene University (95-86). Mt. Vernon had knocked off tourney #1 seed Embry-Riddle in the second round. This game saw a 21-point swing in the second half, with the Lions overcoming a 10-point deficit to gain an 11-point advantage late. Justin Shrake scored all of his game-high 26 points in the second half for Lindenwood. Johnny Viehland added 22 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists. Mark Hess had 19 points for the Cougars (27-9).

Lindenwood (26-9), in just their second tournament appearance, advance to Monday's 8 p.m. semifinal to take on #4 College of the Ozarks (Mo.), who had little trouble in its 80-61quarterfinal win over #5 Mayville State (N.D.). Ozarks, making its tenth tournament appearance and seventh straight, were led by Corey Stone's 19 points. Heath Sitton added 17 points, six rebounds, and four assists. This is the furthest the Bobcats (29-5) have advanced since their appearance in the championship game in 2000. John Feggo led the Comets (27-6) with 11 points.

The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

Monday's Semifinal Schedule:
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) vs. #2 Huntington (Ind.), 6 p.m.
#8 Lindenwood (Mo.) vs. #4 College of the Ozarks (Mo.), 8 p.m.

Saturday's Quarterfinal Results:
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) def. #3 Walsh (Ohio), 74-68
#8 Lindenwood (Mo.) def. #16 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio), 95-86
#4 College of the Ozarks (Mo.) def. #5 Mayville State (N.D.), 80-61
#2 Huntington (Ind.) def.  #10 Morningside (Iowa), 82-70.

Second Round Scores:
#8 Lindenwood (Mo.) def. Taylor (Ind.), 74-71 OT
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) def. Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) 66-57
#16 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio) def. Embry-Riddle (Fla.) 84-78
#3 Walsh (Ohio) def. #14 Oregon Tech 81-66
#5 Mayville State (N.D.) def. Montreat (N.C.) 99-92
#4 College of the Ozarks (Mo.) def. William Jewell (Mo.) 77-76
#2 Huntington (Ind.) def. Evangel (Mo.) 104-93
#10 Morningside (Iowa) def. #7 Warner Pacific (Ore.) 71-68

Thursday First Round Scores:
Cardinal Stritch (Wis.)(25-8) def.  #11 Southwestern (Kan.)(28-4) 75-60
MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)(23-10) def. #6 Indiana Southeast (30-4) 72-62
#14 Oregon Tech (25-8) def. Northwestern (Iowa)(23-8) 92-83
#3 Walsh (Ohio)(26-6) def. Tennessee Wesleyan (20-12) 65-50
#2 Huntington (Ind.)(29-5) def. Fisher (Mass.)(15-15) 99-58
#10 Morningside (Iowa)(27-6) def. Cornerstone (Mich.)(23-11) 87-84
#15 Evangel (Mo.)(23-10) def. Bellevue (Neb.)(24-8) 82-74
#7 Warner Pacific (Ore.)(24-8) def. Holy Names (Calif.)(23-11) 83-73

Wednesday First Round Scores:
#1 Embry-Riddle (Fla.)(30-3) def. Sterling (Kan.)(16-15) 86-55
#16 Mount Vernon Nazarene (Ohio)(26-8) def. Iowa Wesleyan (25-7) 87-81
#9 Taylor (Ind.)(28-6) def. Aquinas (Mich.)(22-12) 63-52
#5 Mayville State (N.D.)(26-5) def. Daemen (N.Y.)(20-12) 82-56
Montreat (N.C.)(22-9) def. #12 Sioux Falls (S.D.)(22-9) 93-83
#13 William Jewell (Mo.)(27-7) def. Southern Oregon (23-9) 67-64 OT
#4 College of the Ozarks (Mo.)(25-6) def. Dominican (Calif.)(18-12) 69-60
#8 Lindenwood (Mo.)(24-9) def. Dordt (Iowa)(22-10) 66-58