by Matt Bos, Media Coordinator

Point Lookout, Mo.- Box Score| Bracket  The Cougars of the University Saint Francis (Ind.) rolled late to a 96-81 victory over Dakota State (S.D.) in a first round game in the Naismith bracket of the NAIA Division II Men's National Championship, played on the campus of the College of the Ozarks, Point Lookout, Mo.

Saint Francis, 30-4, is the top seed in the Naismith bracket and the number one overall seed in the thirty-two team championship field. Coach Chad LaCross' team hopes to add a second National title in six years, having won the 2010 tournament, also played in Point Lookout.

In advancing to a second round meeting against No.4 seed Mount Mercy (Iowa), the Cougars needed to withstand an early three point barrage by Dakota State, who hit on 10-of-14 treys in the first half. Dakota State built a 15 point lead at 10:01 of the half, 31-16, after a three-pointer by Derek Meger. Though Austin Fox led a Saint Francis retaliation, Dakota State emerged with a 48-47 halftime advantage.

“Felt like there at the start, honestly, we played scared,” said Saint Francis’ head coach Chad LaCross. “I’m not sure what the deal was there and I was obviously disappointed. I was very pleased with the way we finished the first half and extremely pleased with the way we played that entire second half. We were kind of back and forth there for a while, but we finally got some stops. We were able to continue to get out in transition and we continued to push in transition and get them back on their heels late in the game.”

The Cougars' Fox was immense, controlling the inside with a career-high 31 points and seven rebounds, both game highs. His inside basket gave Saint Francis the lead for good, 65-63, at the 11:41 mark of the second half. Fox followed with two successful free throws to increase the margin to four and the Cougars never looked back.

“We got tougher after getting down 10,” said Fox. “We came out soft to be honest and did not have any heart. Coach (LaCross) called timeout and Jordan (Hahn) really got into me. I’m the leader of the team. I was just mentally weak to start the game.”

Fox was ably supported in the scoring column by four teammates in double figures. Jordan Hahn had 16, crafty point guard Seth Small 15, Kegan Comer 14 and Evan Henry 11.

Dakota State also placed five in double figures, paced by Adam Hofer with 16 points. Meger added 14, Ian Barse and Tanner Heiser 12 each and Kyle Kilgore 10. The Trojans finish their season at 19-14.