IU East moves on to Elite 8 with win over VCSU at NAIA DII MBB national tournament
IU East moves on to Elite 8 with win over VCSU at NAIA DII MBB national tournament
By Matt Bos -- NAIA DII MBB Media Coordinator
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Box Score | Bracket In a matchup of two teams that earned upset wins in the first round, No. 7 IU East utilized an overall advantage in speed to oust No. 6 Valley City State (N.D.), 81-69, in the second round of the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship.
IU East advances to its first ever national quarterfinal where they will play either No. 1 Briar Cliff (Iowa) or No. 4 Bethel (Ind.) at 3pm on Saturday, March 12.
Behind Parker Salinas' shooting (14 first half points) and the all-court play of guards Vasha Davis and Nick Bollenbacher, IU East led by as many as 10 points in the first half before settling for a 41-35 lead at intermission.
With VCS burdened by cold shooting, the Red Wolves built the margin to 17 points on a Bollenbacher three-point goal with 6:57 remaining (66-49).
VCS sixth man Darryl Howell and reserve Riley West kept their team in contention as the Vikings cut the lead to 10 on three separate occasions, but could get no closer.
Davis led the winners with 19 points. Salinas and Bollenbacher added 16 apiece and foul plagued Lucas Huffman scored all 12 of his points in the second half.
IU East outrebounded the Vikings 38-27 with Aaron Thomas leading the way with nine boards.
Valley City state was led by Howell with 19 points and Justyn Galloway poured in 14. The Vikings, who picked up their first ever championship win on Thursday, end the season with a 22-11 record.
The Red Wolves' improve to 21-13 on the year.