#2 seed IU East moves on at #NAIADIIMBB Tournament with win over #7 Reinhardt

3/8/2017 12:00:00 AM

By IU East Sports Information BOX SCORE

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - The 200th NAIA victory for the Indiana University East men's basketball program sent the Red Wolves back to the Sweet 16 at the national tournament.

IU East opened the NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship with an 84-74 victory against Reinhardt University in the College of the Ozarks' Keeter Gymnasium on Wednesday morning. It was the first game of the

The Red Wolves (27-7), the No. 2 seed in the tournament's "Liston Bracket," also set a program record for wins in a season to earn a spot in the event's round of 16. The Eagles, the No. 7 seed in the "Liston Bracket," finished 22-10.

KEY MOMENTS

* IU East finished the game on a 23-10 run after trailing 64-61 with less than eight minutes remaining.

* Jacoby Claypool started the Red Wolves' game-ending surge, scoring six consecutive points to put IU East ahead to stay at 67-64.

* Kyle Pipenger hit a 3-pointer with 3:30 remaining to give the Red Wolves some breathing room at 76-69.

* A basket by Jordan Furlow, a blocked shot by Kendall Rollins and two free throws by Jacoby Claypool put IU East in the clear at 82-74 with less than 50 seconds remaining.

SIGNIFICANT STATS

* IU East is now 200-120 in 10 NAIA seasons.

* The Red Wolves are in the Sweet 16 at the national tournament for the second consecutive season.

* IU East sank 22 of 27 free throws (.814 percentage). Reinhardt made just five free throws.

* Kyle Pipenger scored a game-high 23 points, making 4 of 9 from 3-point range and all nine of his free throws.

* Jacoby Claypool put up a double-double with 16 points and a career-high 10 assists.

* Aaron Thomas also posted a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds. Thomas made every shot he took - five field goals and two free throws.

* Samuel Bunkley led Reinhardt with 21 points.

NOTABLE QUOTABLE

* "They were a really good team. I think we handled their run, stayed tough, and came back and got the big 'W.' The first game in the morning isn't a;ways easy, so to come in and get that first win was big." - IU East's Kyle Pipenger

* It means we've had some great players." - IU East coach Mark Hester on the program's 200th NAIA win.

UP NEXT

IU East will face Northwest Christian University or Midland University on March 10 at 11:15 a.m. (IU East time) in the tournament's round of 16.

Article will be updated with player reaction and IU East's second-round matchup