By Eric Montgomery | NAIA Media Relations

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Box Score) No. 1-seeded Hope International (Calif.) advanced to the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship for the first time in program history, posting a 82-72 win over Montana Western. The Royals will face the winner of No. 8-seeded Martin Methodist (Tenn.), a 73-59 winner over Cumberlands (Ky.), on Saturday, March 20 at 4:00 p.m.

Matt Green and Tuff Barnes each had 16 points and combined for 14 rebounds to lead the way for Hope International (30-2). Garrett Neilan delivered 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Austin Sanford recorded 11 points, five rebounds and three assists, while Kenny Morgan chipped in with 10 points and four assists for the Royals.

“We got smacked in the mouth early by Montana Western, a really good program, which is all we play from here on in,” said Hope International head coach Bill Czech. “Our guys maintained composure with Kenny Morgan getting into foul trouble. Our guys were really smart and they were able to make adjustments mid-game during a timeout and that was the difference tonight.”

Montana Western was firmly in control through the opening 12 minutes of the game, leading by as much as 11 points following a putback by Stephen McCall. The Bulldogs hit seven of 15 three-point shots (.467) in the first half and 55.6 percent overall. Hope International chipped away at the deficit for the final eight minutes of the half, getting as close as two points before trailing by three at the half, 40-37.

Green nailed a three-pointer to open the second half as the Royals scored the first seven points after intermission. The Bulldogs responded with a 15-5 run over the next 4:20 to go back up by seven before Hope International took control of the game for good.

Barnes tied the game for the final time with 11:12 to play on a second chance bucket, opening up a 12-2 run that gave the Royals a 66-58 lead. After Kris Castro hit two free throws with 8:02 left to trim two points off the deficit for the Bulldogs, Hope International put the game away by scoring 12 of the next 13 points for a 17-point cushion that was more than enough to secure the victory.

“I think we played well for about thirty minutes. They’re just too big, we’re not very big and they got us on the offensive boards,” said Montana Western head coach Steve Keller. “Hope is a good team. They are not going to beat themselves.”

Hope International shot 47.1 percent (16 of 34) in the second half while limiting Montana Western to 11 of 28 shooting (.393). The Royals posted a 43-32 rebounding edge, including 15-7 on the offensive end, and enjoyed a 19-11 advantage at the free throw line.

Montana Western had four players share team-high scoring honors with 13 points: Dexter Williams Jr., Shyke Smalls, Tim Lott, and Connor Woodill. McCall dished out five assists and grabbed five rebounds, while Williams recorded two blocked shots.

Montana Western finished its season with a record of 23-9.

Game Notes:
Hope International – The Royals extended its current winning streak to 10 games and improved to 4-2 all-time in its third National Championship appearance … Hope International is the fifth-straight No. 1 seed to advance to the quarterfinal round, with Mountain State (W.Va.) the last top seed to fall in the second round … The Royals placed five players in double figures for the first time since Feb. 28, 2015.

Montana Western – The Bulldogs dropped to 1-5 all-time in second round games and 7-12 overall … Montana Western allowed 80 points or more for the 8th time in its 10 losses … The Bulldogs lost for just the second time this season when leading at the half, falling to Fort Lewis (Colo.) on Nov. 7 … Montana Western recorded a season-low in steals with two, averaging 9.2 per game.