March 15, 2006

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Unseeded Olivet Nazarene University (Ill.) survived a comeback bid from Wayland Baptist University (Texas) to post an 84-77 victory in the opening round of the 69th Annual Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship Wednesday at Municipal Auditorium.

Sophomore forward Phil French led a balanced attack with 16 points as the Tigers advanced to the second round on Friday. Olivet Nazarene will face either top-seeded Mountain State University (W.Va.) or Southwestern Assemblies of God (Texas) Friday at 8 p.m. CST. Olivet Nazarene improves to 22-10 on the season.

Olivet Nazarene scored 15 consecutive points to build a 23-9 midway through the first half. The Tigers' lead grew to 40-20 late in the period before Wayland Baptist started its comeback. Consecutive three-pointers by senior guard DeJuan Davis triggered a 9-2 run to close the half and help the Pioneers pull within 42-29 at the intermission. Wayland Baptist, the No. 16 seed, continued that momentum with a 10-2 run to start the second half to close the gap to 44-39 with just over 17 minutes to play.

The Pioneers chipped away at the deficit and pulled to within 73-72 following a pair of free throws by senior guard DuJuan Davis with 4:27 remaining. But consecutive baskets in the lane by junior center Travis Meeks and freshman forward Nick Livas built the Olivet Nazarene lead back to 77-72. The Tigers then hit four free throws in the final 35.6 seconds to seal the victory.

Junior forward Stan Chismark added 15 points for Olivet Nazarene, while senior guard Zach Birkey chipped in with 14 points. Senior forward Zach Johnson came off the bench for 10 points for the Tigers, and French grabbed a team-leading seven rebounds.

Senior guard DuJuan Davis poured in a game-high 25 points to lead Wayland Baptist, including seven three-point field goals. Senior guard Clifton Clarida added 15 points, while junior guard Kendall Webb had 14 points and a game-high eight assists for the Pioneers. Senior forward Nate Bridges closed out his career with 10 points and a game-high 14 rebounds for Wayland Baptist, which ends its season with a 19-11 record.