By Matt Bos, NAIA Media Coordinator

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – (Box Score)- Dalton Barnes scored a game-high 22 points and the Eagles’ defense dominated from start to finish as #2 Embry-Riddle (Fla) earned a 76-47 win over Friends (Kan.) in the first round of the 2015 NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship. This year’s event is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium in Point Lookout, Mo.

The win improves Embry-Riddle to 33-1, establishing the program’s record for most wins in a season. They make a return to the second round for the10th time and for the first since 2010.
Embry-Riddle quickly established control, jumping out to a 13-4 lead. Friends managed to keep it within single digits for the next 5-7 minutes but a late first half push put the Eagles up 38-21 at the break.

The Eagles’ put the game away with another run at the onset of the second half and their defense took over from there, limiting Friends to just 23% from the field over the final 20 minutes.
Embry-Riddle shot 52% for the game, led by Barnes with 22 points and nine boards. Cesar Pastrana scored 15 and Joseph Gonzalez added 11. The Eagles held a 39-27 advantage on the boards.

Toby Baxter led Friends with 13 points, followed by Brett Williams with 10 points and seven rebounds. The Falcons shot 29% for the game and 20% (4-for-20) from the three-point arc. Friends ends the season with a 17-16 record.

Embry-Riddle will play #15 Union (Ky.) on Friday at 10:15am.