IWU Knocked Out, Spring Arbor Advances
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – Oregon Tech knocked out the defending champion Indiana Wesleyan team Saturday in the NAIA Men’s Basketball Division II National Championships, while Spring Arbor and Marian advance to the Final Four in another full day of play in the national tournament.
OREGON TECH 107, INDIANA WESLEYAN 93
Mitchell Fink continued his torrid play in the tournament, recording 34 points and 11 assists as Oregon Tech defeated the overall No. 1 seed Indiana Wesleyan. Garret Albrecht recorded 16 points and nine rebounds, Matt Van Passell had 14 points, Harrison Steiger had 13 points and Kaison Faust added 12 points and seven rebounds for Tech (27-7).
Kyle Mangas’ incredible sophomore year came to a halt despite 24 points and four rebounds. Joel Okafor led the Wildcats (29-6) with 25 points, four rebounds and four assists, Grant Smith added 18 points and eight assists, and Evan Maxwell concluded his career with 16 points and four rebounds.
SPRING ARBOR 89, IU EAST 77
Paul Marandet continued to shine on the big stage, posting 20 points, eight rebounds and eight assists for the Cougars. Brandon Durnell also notched 20 points for SAU (28-7) and Jeff Beckman added 13 points and eight rebounds.
IU East (26-9) bowed out with Bishop Smith pacing the squad with 21 points and Kendall Rollins had 17 points and six rebounds.
MARIAN 105, BRIAR CLIFF 66
Wes Stowers had yet another big game for the Knights with 29 points, five assists and four rebounds as the Crossroads League pushed a second team into the Final Four and a guarantee to have a team in the championship game once again. Four other Knights (28-7) reached double figures, with TJ Henderson and Sterling Brown both at 14 points, Reginald Kissoonlal at 13 points and Hayden Langkabel with 12 points.
Jay Wolfe had 32 points, six rebounds and four assists for the Cliff (22-9) in their final game of the tournament.
COLLEGE OF IDAHO 62, MORNINGSIDE 59
The closest of the four games had Idaho (30-5) reach the semi-finals behind 19 points from Talon Pinckney and 11 points from Nate Bruneel.
Tyler Borchers led Morningside (29-4) with 24 points and seven rebounds, and Alex Borchers chipped in 10 points.
NAIA DIVISION II FINAL FOUR
Monday, 6 p.m.
College of Idaho v. Oregon Tech
Monday 8 p.m.
Spring Arbor v. Marian