Top-ranked Findlay outscored second-ranked C.W. Post 12-2 in overtime and rallied from an 11 point, late first half deficit to chalk up an 89-79 victory in a quarterfinal game featuring the lone remaining undefeated NCAA Division II teams at the MassMutual Center tonight.

The Oilers (34-0) shot 54.1 percent (33-for-61) from the floor and outscored the Pioneers (30-1) 14-3 at the foul line to set up their date with Central Missouri (30-4) in tomorrow’s national semifinal game. Tip-off is scheduled for 8:30 pm. The Mules advanced with an 86-77 quarterfinal victory against Gannon.

Senior center Lee Roberts finished 10-for-13 from the floor on the way to a game-high 23 points for the Oilers, who had five players in double-figures scoring. Junior guard Marcus Parker had 19 points to go with five assists and senior forward Josh Bostic finished with 18 points and eight rebounds. Meanwhile, senior guard Tyler Evans and senior forward Morgan Lewis added 12 and 11 points respectively.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy UF Athletics

Central Missouri Rallies Past Gannon for Semifinals Berth

After being held to 10 points during the initial seven-plus minutes of the second half, Central Missouri scored 44 points during the final 13 minutes to rally from a 12 point deficit and in the process hand Gannon University an 86-77 setback in a national quarterfinal game tonight at the MassMutual Center.

The Mules shot 66.7 percent (16-for-24) from the floor, including 70.0 percent (7-for-10) from the arc and 93.8 percent from the line (15-for-16), in the second half to advance against one of the lone two remaining undefeated teams in NCAA Division II.

Junior forward Sanijay Watts went 9-for-13 from the field to pace five Central Missouri players in double-figures scoring with 21 points and six rebounds. Senior guard De’Andre Byrd tossed in 20 points, while senior guard Joe Young and junior forward Tremaine Luellen had 13 apiece, with all of Young’s 13 coming after halftime. Junior guard Alex Moosmann rounded out the balanced attack with 12 points.

For Gannon, senior guard Joe Lindsey scored 18 points and handed out six assists, and senior forward Kyle Goldcamp had 15 points thanks to a 7-for-11 shooting effort from the floor. Senior guard Cory Knight wound up with 14 points and four assists, while senior forward Tyler Stoczynski contributed 12 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy UCM Athletics

Cal Poly Pomona Advances To Semifinals

Cal Poly Pomona has traveled 10,000 miles throughout its 2009 NCAA Tournament run, but no step was more important than the one the Bronco’s took today with their 79-74 quarterfinal victory against Southwest Minnesota State at the MassMutual Center.

Both teams shot well with Southwest Minnesota State (21-6) converting 54.2 percent (26-for-48) of its chances and Cal Poly Pomona burying 56.8 percent (25-for-44) of its opportunities. However, the Broncos generated an 18-5 rebounding advantage in the second stanza and drained a sizzling 89.7 percent (26-for-29) of their free throws for the game, the second highest such mark in Elite Eight annals.

The contest was close throughout with eight ties over the opening 25 minutes and with neither club able to generate a double-digit advantage. Cal Poly Pomona overcame a 33-29 halftime deficit with a 9-2 spurt at the onset of the second period that afforded the Bronco’s a 38-35 lead with 17:22 remaining. Southwest Minnesota State then responded with eight of the ensuing 11 points during the next two minutes to go back up by two, 43-41. The Broncos never trailed again although the Mustangs twice pulled to within a point during the next seven minutes thanks to a Krome 3-pointer and a trey from junior guard DeAnthony Sanders. However, each time Cal Poly Pomona’s Thompson responded with a 3-pointer of his own to keep Southwest Minnesota State in arrears.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy of Cal Poly Pomona Athletics

Augusta State Completes Huge Comeback

Augusta State (30-4) overcame the second largest halftime deficit in Elite Eight history en route to a 70-62 quarterfinal victory versus Christian Brothers University today at the Mass Mutual Center.

Augusta State trailed 32-18 at intermission, but shot 62.5 percent (15-for-24) from the floor and held Christian Brothers (21-6) to 20.0 percent (2-for-10) shooting from the arc throughout the final 20 minutes to run their win streak to 16 games. The Jaguars also generated a 31-17 advantage on the boards, including an 18-5 margin the second stanza, and helped themselves by canning 84.6 percent (22-for-26) of their free throws.

Junior guard Ben Madgen scored 12 of his 16 points after halftime and pulled down six rebounds to lead Augusta State. Junior forward Fred Brathwaite added 15 points, while fellow junior forward Caleb Brown finished with 12 points and four rebounds throughout 22 minutes of reserve duty. Senior guard Reggie Peyton had a game-high 20 points and senior center Nick Kohs tossed in 15 for the Pirates.

FULL STORY

–Courtesy of Augusta State Athletics

On the women’s side, all eight regions housing the 64-team field start play on the 14th, with the Women’s Elite Eight running on March 24, 25 and 27 at Bill Greehey Arena in San Antonio, Texas.

Women’s regional hosts include Delta State, West Texas A&M, California (PA), Holy Family, Minnesota State-Mankato, Northern Kentucky, Lenoir-Rhyne, and Seattle Pacific. Franklin Pierce is the top seed in the Northeast Regional hosted by Holy Family.

Men’s regional hosts are Gannon, Central Missouri, BYU-Hawaii, Southwest Minnesota State, Findlay, CW Post, Florida Southern and Augusta State.

WOMEN’S BRACKET

MEN’S BRACKET

–Courtesy NCAA