March 14, 2007

Kansas City, Mo. - No. 8 Auburn University Montgomery (Ala.) edged Jarvis Christian College (Texas) 61-60 to win the opening game of the 2007 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium.

 

Junior forward Chris Taylor led a balanced scoring attack for Auburn Montgomery with 12 points as the Senators collected their 13^th consecutive win. Auburn Montgomery, now 27-4 overall, advance to Friday's second round, where it will meet either Crichton College (Tenn.) or Tougaloo College (Miss.) at 9 a.m. CDT.

 

The Senators took a 61-51 lead with 1:53 to play on a pair of free throws by senior guard Mario Lusk. Jarvis Christian began its comeback bid at the 1:45 mark on two foul shots by junior forward Aaron Lasane. After two more free throws, senior guard James Woodson scored on a basket with 42 seconds left to pull the Bulldogs within 61-57.

 

With nine seconds remaining, senior guard Brandon Martin made a three-point shot to bring Jarvis Christian within 61-60. The Senators missed the front end of a bonus free throw and the Bulldogs claimed the rebound. However, Jarvis Christian could not get off a shot before the final horn, allowing Auburn Montgomery to pull out the victory.

 

Senior guard Montrelle Crittendon added 11 points and a game-high four steals for Auburn Montgomery. A trio of Senators each posted 10 points in the effort, including junior forward Robert Johnson, who had 10 opints and a game-high 12 rebounds. Lusk and freshman Nathan Thomas both reached the 10-point mark for the Senators.

 

Jarvis Christian closes its season with an overall record of 26-7. Senior center Neville Storer and senior guard Demarion Crite each scored 13 points to lead the Bulldogs, while Storer and Lasane each grabbed a team-leading six rebounds.