SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – The Spring Arbor University men's basketball team put together a statement win with a with an 85-50 victory over Indiana Tech in the opening round of the NAIA DII Men's Basketball National Championship at the Sanford Pentagon on Wednesday morning.
The No. 2-seeded Cougars shot a blistering 64 percent from the field and 53 percent from behind the 3-point line while completing shutting down the No. 7-seeded Warriors, who shot just 33 percent.
With the win, Spring Arbor advances to the second round of the national tournament and will play No. 3-seed Jamestown (N.D.) on Friday, Mar. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: No. 2-seed Spring Arbor 85, No. 7-seed Indiana Tech 50
LOCATION: Sanford Pentagon | Sioux Falls, S.D.
RECORDS: Spring Arbor 26-7, Indiana Tech 22-12
HOW IT HAPPENED
- After a back and forth first 10 minutes, Spring Arbor grabbed control and closed out the half on a 27-6 run. Tom Hamilton ignited the run with a fast-break 3-pointer to give the Cougars the lead. Luke Barber, Brandon Durnell and Jeff Beckman would make back-to-back-to-back buckets to boost the lead to nine, 27-18, at the 8:15 mark.
- The SAU defense held Indiana Tech to just two field goals over the final eight minutes of the period.
- Payton DeWildt scored seven of SAU's last nine points of the first half to help put the Cougars in front 44-24 at the break.
- Spring Arbor broke the game wide open in the second half. Barber buried a triple in the early moments, extending the lead to 25, 51-26, and the Cougars would maintain a comfortable cushion the rest of the way.
FOR THE COUGARS
- Durnell led all scorers with 19 points on 7-for-9 shooting while also adding seven rebounds. Paul Marandet finished with 17 points with six assists and five steals.
- Jeff Beckman and DeWildt also scored in double figures. Beckman had 14 points and a game-high nine rebounds while DeWildt added 13 points.
- Spring Arbor was red-hot from the field shooting 64 percent (34-for-53), including 71 percent (17-for-24) in the first half. The Cougars were also 9-for-17 from behind the arc.
- SAU dominated the glass, out-rebounding Indiana Tech 35-19.
FOR THE WARRIORS
- Indiana Tech was led by Mitch Morken, who had eight points, while five other players chipped in six apiece.
- The Warriors struggled all day from the field, shooting just 33 percent (18-for-55).
UP NEXT
Spring Arbor will face Jamestown (N.D.) (29-5) in the round of 16 on Friday, Mar. 8 at 9:30 a.m. ET.
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