March 16, 2004

NCAA DIVISION II MEN'S GREAT LAKES REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Boxscore

ROMEOVILLE, Ill. - Cris Brunson's basket with :10 remaining lifted third-seeded Southern Indiana to a 69-68 victory over eighth-seeded Wayne State (Mich.) Tuesday in the NCAA Division II men's basketball Great Lakes Regional Championship title game.

The Screaming Eagles (26-6) advance to the Elite Eight in Bakersfield, Calif., where they will play Northwest Missouri State in a national quarterfinal game next Wednesday.

Brunson's game-winning shot was preceded by a Kendon Edwards tip-in with :13 left that gave Wayne State (19-11) its only lead of the game. The Warriors had a final chance to win, but Herb Goliday's baseline jumper was off the mark.

Southern Indiana led by 11 points on two occasions late in the first half before settling for a 33-26 halftime advantage. In the second half, USI went on a 12-0 run that gave the Eagles a seemingly secure 57-42 cushion with 7:45 remaining.

But Wayne State, which erased large deficits in beating top-seeded Lewis and fourth-seeded Michigan Tech to reach the championship game, responded with a 24-9 outburst. A Kendall LeSure 3-pointer, his second during the run, tied it at 66 with 1:24 to play.

USI's Billy Harris made a free throw with :26 left, giving USI a 67-66 lead and setting the stage for the final moments.

Brunson, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, led USI with 17 points and six rebounds. Randy Holbrook scored 14 points, and Harris and Joe Gordon added 12 apiece. Holbrook and Gordon were selected to the all-tournament team.

Edwards, also an all-tournament pick, led all players with 23 points and eight rebounds, including six of the Warriors' 15 offensive boards. LeSure netted 14 points, Morris Hall scored 10 and Darrell Evans added five assists.

The Screaming Eagles shot .543 from the field to the Warriors' .441. USI was 14 of 18 (.778) at the foul line, while Wayne State managed just 9 of 17 (.529).

3/16/04