IU Southeast Men Win at NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament
IU Southeast Men Win at NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo.(Box Score) -Fifth-seeded Indiana Southeast shot past Johnson & Wales (Colo.) 77-56 in the first round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament. The 2010 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo.(Box Score) -Fifth-seeded Indiana Southeast shot past Johnson & Wales (Colo.) 77-56 in the first round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Tournament. The 2010 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).
The Grenadiers broke open a tight game in the first half with a barrage of three-pointers and never trailed after that. Senior guard Alex Gravelle scored all of his 17 points in the opening 20 minutes, making 4-of-5 three-pointers to ignite IUSE, who led 43-26 at the half.
IUSE pushed the lead to over 20 points for much of the second half as the Grenadiers held down Johnson & Wales to 26% shooting, 12% from beyond the arc. IUSE continued its outstanding perimeter shooting in the second half, making 6-of-14 three-point attempts.
We started out slow in the beginning of the game, but we know our defense is our best offense. Once we started getting our hands on the ball we were able to start making things happen." "This is a great win for us over a really talented Johnson & Wales team," comments Indiana Southeast head coach Wiley Brown.. "Once you get to this point of the year every team is special. Our goal since we first began the season is to bring IU Southeast its first national championship. We will not rest or celebrate until we are able achieve our goal."
Three Grenadier players scored in double figures, led by senior guard Carlos Mitchell with 18 points. Gravelle netted 17 (4-of-6 from beyond the arc) and Jazzmarr Ferguson added 14 points, 3-of-5 from the three-point line. IUSE advances to play in the second round for the second straight year.
"Gravelle, Mitchell and Ferguson really played hard for us today, but we are going to need every player to step-up for us to advance further in this tournament," said Brown.
Johnson & Wales was led by Chris Brunson with 13 points and MJ Crespin with 10. Nick Maly pulled down 12 rebounds to go with nine points and three assists. The Wildcats shot 35% from the field and struggled from beyond the arc, making 2-of-13 three-point attempts for 15%. Johnson & Wales ends the season with a 17-14 record.
Indiana Southeast (26-4) will play Spring Arbor (Mich.) in Friday's second round action at noon.