First Posted: 3/11/2015
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – Union College from Kentucky eliminated the University of Northwestern Ohio men’s basketball team 64-58 in the first round of the NAIA Division II National Championship on Wednesday morning at Keeter Gymnasium.
It was the 21st straight win for the Bulldogs (30-4), ranked 15th in the latest coaches’ poll. Eighteenth-ranked UNOH finished its season 25-8.
“I am disappointed because I thought we had some opportunities early in the first half to score, and we did not take advantage of them,” Racers coach Chris Adams said. “That kept us from getting into a rhythm on the offensive end, and in the end, that was enough to cost us the game.”
In the first half, Union opened up a 11-3 lead in the first five minutes, extending the margin to 20-7 after the first 10 minutes.
The Racers were able to end their shooting drought, ending the half on a 20-8 run to cut the Union lead to 28-27.
UNOH took its first lead of the game at 30-28 on a Lawrence Jackson put-back 22 seconds into the second half.
With 8:25 remaining, Union held a 45-44 advantage and then went on a 12-3 run and held a 59-47 edge until Josh Scott buried a 3-pointer with 1:02 left to cut the deficit to 59-50. After a made free throw, Ed Jenkins hit a jumper to pull UNOH within eight at 60-52 with 53 seconds to play. That sequence repeated 23 seconds later, and after a Union turnover and a Jenkins free throw pulled UNOH to within six at 61-55, freshman Davon Payne connected from long range to pull UNOH to within three at 61-58 with 23 seconds to play.
The Racers were unable to complete the comeback bid as Union’s DeAntray Stevens made a free throw, then Payne had a 3-point attempt blocked and Fitzgerald White sealed the game at the stripe for Union.
Lawrence Jackson and Ed Jenkins scored 15 points each to lead UNOH in scoring.
“I’m proud of our guys,” Union coach Kevin Burton said. “Northwestern Ohio was the best team we played all year, they were so well coached. I was so impressed at how hard both teams were playing, we were both playing to win. Everybody got their money’s worth in this one, it was a classic.”
