Indiana Tech to Play for NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship after come-from-behind semifinal win

KANSAS CITY, Mo. - (Box Score) - Indiana Tech completed a 16-point comeback to defeat Georgetown (Ky.) 80-71 in the semifinals of the 2023 NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship Tournament at Muncipal Auditorium. 

Third-seeded Georgetown built a lead in the first half with a 9-2 run five minutes into the game. The Tigers parlayed the momentum into a 16-point lead with 7:36 remaining in the half thanks to Indiana Tech turnovers. The teams traded baskets and Tech started to find a foot hold, closing the gap to 11 heading into the half at 40-29.

Rog Stein blocked a shot and and Grant Smith sunk two freethrows in the first minute of the second half to start Tech's push. Josh Kline's layup sparked a 13-3 run midway through the half to give the Warriors their first lead of the game at 54-51. By the 4:23 mark, Tech had its largest lead of five points 63-58 after a pair of free throws from Blake Davidson. Georgetown got two points from Jake Ohmer and a basket from Tommy Thomas, but Tech had an answer both times to keep the Tigers at bay.

Georgetown, 30-6, was led by Ohmer's 20 points while Kyran Jones added 12 points and 16 rebounds.

The Warriors hit 25-of-31 from the free throw line for and won the battle of the boards 43 to 27. Kline and Smith lead Tech with 15 points each and Kline grabbed eight rebounds. Now 32-4, Indiana Tech is making its first trip to the national championship game and will face top-seeded College of Idaho at 7 p.m. on March 17 after the Yotes beat OUAZ (Ariz.) 73-72.