POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Saturday’s quarterfinal round is set as defending champion Oklahoma Wesleyan defeated Hastings (Neb.) 100-83 in the final game of the second round of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Tournament at Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Mo.
Steve Briggs put on another show offensively for Oklahoma Wesleyan as the senior guard recorded a tournament best 37 points. He made 7-of-18 three point attempts and seemed to put a stop to every comeback attempt that the Broncos could mount. Briggs now has 49 three-pointers in his career at the tournament and takes over second place, trailing the career leader, Eric Kline of Northern State (S.D.), by 11. Sadiel Rojas registered a double-double with 17 points and 12 rebounds despite being in foul trouble for most of the game.
Hastings led early on but a Briggs three-pointer put the Eagles up 19-18 and never trailed after that. Oklahoma Wesleyan began a 12-0 run and extended it out to a 25-2 spurt which put the Eagles up 44-20. Briggs totaled nine points during the decisive run. They led 57-41 at the half.
The Broncos kept it within in striking distance in the second half, cutting it to a 13-point lead (79-66) after a Jake Marvin basket with under nine minutes to go. Oklahoma Wesleyan proved to be too much, however, and sealed the win with an 8-0 run and became the first team to reach the century mark at the tournament.
Oklahoma Wesleyan shot 48% for the game and dominated the glass, holding a 47-30 advantage. In addition to Briggs and Rojas, Mike McNeil scored 15 and Murray Shaw added 14.
Hastings was led in scoring by Kylor Dossett with 27 points, making 12-of-16 field goal attempts. Waid Vontz contributed 20 points while Jake Marvin followed up his 31-point performance in the first round with 14. Jeremiah Slough added seven points, seven boards and eight assists. The Broncos shot 48% from the field and end the season with a 24-9 record.
Oklahoma Wesleyan (29-4) will play #3 Indiana Wesleyan in Saturday’s quarterfinal at 8:00 pm.