March 12, 2009

Point Lookout, Mo. - #5 Black Hills State (S.D.) overcame a second-half comeback bid and held off Cal State-East Bay 62-58 in the opening round of the 2009 NAIA D-II men's basketball national championships. The Yellow Jackets will move on to the second round for the first time since 2002. The 18th-annual event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

Black Hills State came out strong and built up a 30-17 halftime lead. They held Cal State-East Bay to just six field goals in the first half (6/33-18%).

The Yellow Jackets scored the first three points of the second half to take its biggest lead, 33-17, before the Pioneers came roaring back behind the shooting of junior guard Tauran Moore. Moore made a pair of three-pointers to give Cal State-East Bay its first lead (41-36) with 12:28 left to play. Trailing by six (47-41), Black Hills State outscored the Pioneers 9-2 to regain the lead on a jumper by Cain Atkinson. The game was tied two different times, the last at 56, but Black Hills State went ahead for good on another basket by Atkinson. They converted their free throws in the closing seconds to seal the win.

Cain Atkinson led Black Hills State with 21 points on 7-of-16 from the field. Luke Enos added 14 points while Will Johnson pulled down 14 rebounds. The Yellow Jackets shot 41% for the game and held Cal State-East Bay to just 32%.

The Pioneers were led by Tauran Moore with 31 points, including a tournament-best seven three pointers. Shea Frazee added nine points and four rebounds. Making its first trip to the national tournament since 2004 (fifth overall), Cal State-East Bay ends its season with a 19-8 overall record.

The Yellow Jackets improve to 28-4 overall and will play #12 Morningside (Iowa) on Friday in the second round at noon. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes March 17, 2009.