March 11, 2009

Point Lookout, Mo. - The University of Sioux Falls landed the first big upset of the tournament as they knocked off #3 Cedarville (Ohio) 66-63 in the opening round of the 2009 NAIA D-II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 18th-annual event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

USF, who needed to win four games including the conference championship in the GPAC tournament to secure a berth in the 32-team field, opened up a 10-5 lead to start the game. Cedarville cut it to 25-23 but Sioux Falls scored the final 10 points to take a 33-25 lead into the locker room.

After the Yellow Jackets cut it to two once again (33-31), USF answered with an 8-0 run, all scored by senior guard Adam Herther, to push the lead back up to 12. Cedarville fought back to grab its first lead, 53-51, but the Cougars came back to take the lead on back-to-back three-point plays by Thomas Frames. The Yellow Jackets responded again to tie it at 60 but USF came up with some huge stops on the defensive end and made just enough free throws to earn the win.

Sioux Falls shot 45% from the field and out-rebounded the Yellow Jackets 36-30. Adam Herther netted a career-high 23 points and Thomas Frames scored 14. Tyler McAthie pulled down a team-high 10 rebounds.

Cedarville was led by junior forward Ricardo Alliman with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Christopher Walker chipped in 11 points and Matt Harner connected with 10. The Yellow Jackets shot just 31% in the first half and 44% for the game. Cedarville bows out with a 27-4 record.

Sioux Falls advances to the second round for the first time since 2004 with a 20-15 record. They will face either College of the Ozarks or #14 Aquinas on Friday, March 13 at 7:30 p.m. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes March 17, 2009.