POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - The Red Wolves didn't get the storybook ending they wanted, but they'll never forget the chapters they authored in the program's history.
The Indiana University East men's basketball team fell victim to a bad case of the nerves and a very good University of Saint Francis (Ind.) team in a 79-55 setback in the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship semifinals on March 14 at the College of the Ozarks' Keeter Gymnasium.
The 31st-ranked Red Wolves, who had never won a game at the national tournament before this year, finish 22-14. The top-ranked Cougars will take a 33-4 record into the national championship game.
"It was a special ride," said senior guard Vasha Davis (Hammond, Ind./Morton High School). "We banded together that the right time and played together and played our best basketball. It was a great run, and I'm glad I was able to be a part of it in my last go-round."
The run ended due to an ice-cold shooting night for IU East on the warmest day of the Red Wolves' stay in southern Missouri. IU East just 27 percent of its shots - the second-lowest percentage in program history. The Red Wolves shot 15 percent in the first half, when they fell behind 44-16.
IU East bobbled several routine passes and missed multiple routine shots.
"Nerves," said IU East coach Mark Hester. "We had trouble executing simple stuff we've been executing for four years. It's understandable. It's a big moment, our first time here, but disappointing."
Hester could sense the nerves the moment he got on the bus to head to the game.
"Not a word was said," Hester said. "All of the other games out here, coming from the hotel there has been chatter. I tried to talk, loosen things up, but we were just stone-faced.
"(Assistant) Coach (Tyler) Rigby said not a lot was said in the locker room, and that's unusual for our locker room. But, again, this was our first time. Our goal is to be used to playing in games like this."
Sophomore guard Lucas Huffman (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central High School) hit a 3-pointer 80 seconds into the game to give IU East its first and only lead at 3-2.
Saint Francis answered with the next nine points and built its lead throughout the first half. When the Cougars missed, they often got the offensive rebound. When they got offensive rebound, they usually didn't miss the second shot.
The half ended with the Red Wolves facing a 28-point deficit.
"At halftime we said, we can't change that 20 minutes. All we can control is the next 20," Hester said. "I'm proud of the guys playing hard that second half."
The Red Wolves warmed up slightly in the last 20 minutues, but not enough to make a serious dent in the deficit.
Senior guard Parker Salinas (Kokomo, Ind./Kokomo High School) led IU East with 18 points. Davis and freshman forward Nate Niehoff (Rushville, Ind./Rushville Consolidated High School) added nine apiece.
Austin Fox, the Crossroads League Player of the Year, scored 14 for Saint Francis. Bryce Lienhoop added 13 points, 14 rebounds and five blocks. Saint Francis outrebounded IU East by 22, the second-biggest margin against the Red Wolves this season.
There were several tears shed in the final moments as IU East's seniors - Davis, Salinas, Jason Ray (Martinsville, Ind./Martinsville High School), Nick Bollenbacher (Cedar Lake, Ind./Hanover Central High School) and Dom Williams (Fort Wayne, Ind./Western Wyoming Community College) - left the court for the final time.
There were also a few smiles and a sense of accomplishment as the Red Wolves collected their Final Four plaques and trophy after the final buzzer.
"We did all we can do," Davis said. "And we're bringing home a banner to the new gym."
Added Hester: "What sums it up is, the biggest compliment we got all week - not just one time but too many to count - was on the quality of the character of the guys we have. People said they are such a class group, so respectful and polite, and that means more to me than anything we've done on the court.
"Great people, great men graduating from here. If we're not doing that, we're doing a disservice to the game and the university and the kids. Hopefully we're teaching them a lot of life lessons through athletics, and they've accepted that and grown, and I'm proud of them. They have done so much for the program and university, and that's what means the most to me."