KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- For the first time in program history, the OUAZ Spirit basketball team has advanced to the "Great 8" of the the NAIA Men's Basketball National Championship after beating Southeastern (Fla.) University 79-71 inside Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City.
The Spirit will play the winner of William Penn and Montana Tech, taking place now. The game will be on on Wednesday (March 15) at 3 pm CT.
OUAZ, which had five players in double-figures, was led by senior guard Keshawn Bruner's 17 points. He was 5-of-7 from the floor and 7-of-9 from the line.
Alex Villi, 17 points, had a season-tying high nine rebounds and Josiah De'laCerda added 14 points and eight boards. Also reaching double-figures were Kolten Hitt (10 points) and Devin Collins (11 points and eight rebounds).
For the game, OUAZ shot 57% from the field (63.6% in the second half) and 86% (19-22) from the stripe, while holding SEU to 39.4% from the floor and 23.5% for three's.