March 9, 2006

Day two. Two games, two upsets. Unseeded Mid-America Nazarene (Kan.) registered the biggest upset of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship, knocking off sixth-seeded Indiana University Southeast, 72-62, in first round action. The 2006 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

IU-Southeast, champions of the Kentucky Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, had control early and jumped out to a 23-12 lead with 6:10 remaining in the first half. But Mid-America responded to even the score at 26 at the half and continued the momentum into the second half, using a 14-0 run to take a 40-26 lead. The Grenadiers were able to close within four points in the game's final four minutes, but the Pioneers recovered to stretch the lead back to double digits and pull off the upset.

The Pioneers got stellar play from their starters, with three reaching double figures. Jacob Nellor led the team with 20 points on 7 of 8 shooting from the field and a perfect 3 of 3 showing from long range. Danny Hawkins added 17 points and Adam Hepker contributed a double-double with 14 points and 12 assists. Mid-America shot 63 percent from the field in the second half and 49 percent for the game. The Pioneers, making their 11th tournament appearance, advance past the first round for the seventh time. They improve to 23-10 on the year.

The Grenadiers lost in the first round for the fourth time in four tournament appearances. They were led by Rick Bodiford's 21 points off the bench. Vashon Miller added 13 points in reserve duty as the team's starting five combined for just 20 points on the morning. They finish the season with a record of 30-4.

Mid-America will play Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) in the second round Friday at 10:15 a.m. Cardinal Stritch upset 11th seeded Southwestern (Kan.) earlier in the day. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

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