Story by NAIA Office

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – (Box score) No. 3 seed MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) used its running game to advance to the quarterfinal round of the 2016 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship with a 90-76 win over No. 7-seeded William Jessup (Calif.). The Pioneers will face No. 6-seeded Campbellsville (Ky.) on Saturday, March 19 at 5:30 p.m. CDT.

Six MNU players recorded double-figure scoring totals, led by Justin Randall with 16 points to go along with seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Jonas Page poured in 15 points, while Nick Syrie and Marshawn Arnold each added 14 points. Syrie dished out six assists, Jordan Whelan tossed in 12 points, and Gabriel Jordan tallied 11 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

“A really nice thing is these guys are so unselfish,” said MNU head coach Rocky Lamar. “These guys really don’t care who scores. They want to run, and they understand running, so if you’re running, all kinds of different people are going to get to touch the ball.”

The first half was a back-and-forth battle until the final 3:30 when MNU was able to seize the momentum going into halftime. Down 28-25 following a three-pointer by the Warriors’ Brian Simmons, the Pioneers finished the final 3:32 with a 12-2 stretch capped off by a lob dunk from Syrie to Whelan, followed by a lay-up from Arnold for a 37-30 advantage.

William Jessup seized the momentum to start the second half, scoring nine-straight points for a 39-37 lead after just 1:22. However, MNU ran off an 18-2 run starting at the 18:03 mark on a three-pointer by Page and finished on a putback by Randall for a 55-41 lead with 12:57 to play. The Pioneers led by double digits the rest of the way and by no fewer than 11 over the final 4:48.

MNU shot 56.9 percent from the field (33 of 58), posting 56 points in the paint and 17 fast-break points, while also claiming a 39-30 rebounding advantage. Arnold and Whelan led a bench effort that chipped in with 30 points.

“I’m so proud of this group of men,” said William Jessup head coach Lance Von Vogt. “It’s truly a blessing when you have no regrets, and I have zero regrets with this group of guys.”

Darius Clement led the scoring effort for the Warriors with 16 points, four rebounds and three assists, while Andre Smith tallied 15 points and nine rebounds. Saajid Polite chipped in with 10 points and Kelton Newman added nine.

William Jessup finishes its season with a 19-11 record.

Game Notes
MIdAmerica Nazarene: In four of its five championship appearances, the Pioneers have now advanced to the Quarterfinals – they have won two-of-three in that quarterfinal round… The eight team blocks ties for second-most during this championship event… In two championship games this year, MidAmerica Nazarene has shot 43-for-68 (.632) from the foul line… Leading the nation in assists per game (20.2), Pioneers finished with 18 – led by six from Nick Syrie… After starting the year 9-6, the Pioneers have gone 18-2 after tonight’s win…

William Jessup: Making its first appearance in the second round after beating No. 2 Pikeville (Ky.) in the first round, 82-69. Desmond Floyd led the team with 20 points and 10 rebounds earning his second double-double of the season…Ranked fourth in total rebound margin (9.4) and fifth in offensive rebounds per game (14.9). Surpassed season point average (76.8) by 5.2 points in its defeat over Pikeville…Ended game with 10 offensive rebounds with 30 total…Darius Clement finished with a game high 16 points and 3 rebounds… Falls to 9-9 on the year when scoring under 80 points; conversely the team holds a 10-2 record when going above 80 points.