West Liberty 90, Saint Augustine's (NC) 83
(WEST LIBERTY)---West Liberty got 27 points and 7 rebounds from Barry Shetzter in a 90-83 victory against Saint Augustine's (NC) in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region semifinals.
The Toppers' 31st consecutive home victory sets up a Tuesday date at Indiana (PA) for the Atlantic Region crown and a spot in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight.
WL (29-2) also got 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocked shots from John Wolosinczuk. Corey Pelle registered 17 points and Mike Mathey had 11 points and 9 assists.
Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion St. Augustine's (27-5) received a career-high 34 points from Chris Jordan. Hayward Fain contributed a double-double with 16 points and 17 rebounds.
The visiting Falcons, which lead Division II in defensive field goal percentage, allowed West Liberty to shoot 51 percent from the floor. The Toppers also put up the most points this season against SAC with their 90-point output.
A 14-2 spurt midway through the second half allowed the Toppers to break away from a 52-52 deadlock. Corey Pelle gave WL the lead for good with a bucket at the 13:59 mark. The junior guard also added a three-pointer and an assist during the decisive run.
Indiana (PA) 91, West Virginia State 76
(INDIANA, PA)---Indiana (PA) improved to 17-0 at home in 2009-10 and dominated the backboards in a 91-76 NCAA Tournament win over WVIAC Tournament champion West Virginia State (29-4).
The homestanding Crimson Hawks withstood West Virginia State's 14-for-34 barrage from three point range, by owning a decisive 41-25 rebounding edge.
A 15-4 IUP spurt in the late stages allowed the Crimson Hawks to sprint away from a 62-62 tie. Ashton Smith's pair of three-pointers ignited the run the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference champions.
IUP (30-2), which reached the 30-win mark for the first time in school history, shot a red-hot 55 percent from the field. The Crimson Hawks also sank 9 of 18 three-pointers.
West Virginia State's Darren Jones led all scorers with 40 points. However, Bo King was the only other Jacket in double figures with 17.
Thomas Young poured in 25 points for IUP, while Akida McLain and Smith tallied 17 each. Julian Sanders came off the bench to contribute 15.
NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Atlantic Regional
March 13-16
Saturday, March 13 (first round)
G1: #4 West Virginia State 89, #5 East Stroudsburg 79
G2: #1 Indiana (PA) 71, #8 Fairmont State 67
G3: #3 Saint Augustine's (NC) 70, Kutztown (PA) 54
G4: #2 West Liberty 79, #7 Alderson-Broaddus 66
Sunday, March 14 (semifinals)
G5: Indiana (PA) 91, West Virginia State 76
G6: West Liberty 90, Saint Augustine's (NC) 83
Tuesday, March 16 (championship)
G7: West Liberty (29-2) at Indiana, PA (30-2), 7:00 p.m.