Andrew Daniels receives his award as the OKWU team Champion of Character before the Eagles first round contest against Jamestown College (N.D.).
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Defending champion Oklahoma Wesleyan held off the tough, physical play of Jamestown (N.D.) to win 76-70 in the first round of the 2010 NAIA D- II Men’s Basketball Championship. The 2010 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).
The Eagles controlled the game early and held the lead for the entire first half. OWU was powered by the three-point shooting of NAIA All-American Steve Briggs. Briggs set the nets on fire with five three-pointers in the first half while teammate Mike McNeil was just as effective with three from behind the arc. Jamestown fell down nine points at one point in the first half and never led, but was able to narrow the gap from the line, making 10-of-16 free throws. The Jimmies went into halftime down four, 41-37.
Sticking its nose to the grindstone, Jamestown battled back with its inside game as the Jimmies finished with 30 points in the paint. At the 15:24 mark, Jamestown tied the game at 44 and then led for the first time on a free throw, 47-46. Down the stretch, however, the high-flying Eagles rallied and grabbed the lead for good shortly thereafter and went held off the upset-minded Jimmies.
Briggs led the Eagles with a game-high 24 points and grabbed three boards. McNeil netted 19 and added seven rebounds while Sadiel Rojas hit a double-double with 17 points and a team-leading 11 boards. The team shot 40% from the arc, 39% from the field and out-rebounded the Jimmies 43-28.
For Jamestown (20-12), C.J. Peters led the way with 19 points and eight boards. Ross Florhaug netted 15 points and brought down seven boards. Hans Hoeg, John Peabody and Jacob Kelsey hit nine.
Oklahoma Wesleyan (28-4) remains unbeaten in the opening round and advances to the second round where they will play Hasting (Neb.) at 9:15 p.m. on Friday. The 32 team, single elimination tournament concludes March 17, 2010.