Indiana Tech Edges Liston Quadrant Top Seed in Quarterfinals

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (Box Score) - Second-seeded Indiana Tech edged No. 1 Arizona Christian 67-64 in the last quarterfinal of the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship at Muncipal Auditorium on to advance to its first-ever semfinal appearance. In a game that featured 10 lead changes and eight ties in the Liston Quadrant, Indiana Tech held a one-point lead at the half (35-34) and got 17 second-half points from Blake Davison to edge out the Firestorm.

Tech held an eight-point lead, 53-45, at the 12:05 mark in the second half forcing a timeout by the Firestorm. Ninety seconds later, Arizona Christian had cut the lead to just two points on an old-fashioned three-point play by Trend Hudgens and Angelo Johnson tied the score a minute later.

Davison sunk two freethrows to break the tie for the Warriors and Tech held the slim lead until the 7:33 mark when Hudgens hit a layup to knot the game at 58. Both teams missed opportunities and the score remained untouched until Keyvaughn Williams hit one of two free throws to give the Firestorm their first lead in the second half.

Down by three with under five mintues to play, Indiana Tech did not fold. Davison hit a free throw and followed it with a three-pointer to make it a tied game again at 62-62 with 3:15 left. Rog Stein connected on the first of two free throws, but missed the second only to have Cory McKinney grab the offensive rebound. McKinney then assisted on a Davison jumper for a three-point Warrior lead that stretched to a four-point lead after McKinney made the back end of a set of free throws. 

Arizona Christian clawed back to within two poitns with 31 seconds remaining, but Grant Smith made a free throw at the 17-second mark to seal the three-point win.

The difference in the game came down to the rebounding battle, which Tech won 42-26. The Warriors allowed just three offensive boards for Arizona Christian, limiting the Firestorms's second-chance baskets.

Davison finished with 20 points and four rebounds. Josh Kline added 12 points and five rebounds while Rog Stein and Cory McKinney both grabbed a game-high eight rebounds. Tech, now 31-4, advances to the semifinals for a Friday night match up with third-seeded Georgetown (Ky.) out of the Duer Quadrant. The Tigers ousted top-seeded Grace (Ind.) 92-85 earlier on Wednesday night.

Angelo Johnson and Bryce Davis led Arizona Christian (27-6) with 13 points each. Trent Hudgens added 10.