COLUMBUS — The Indiana University Southeast men’s basketball team closed Friday’s NAIA Division II National Tournament contest on an 18-6 run to beat Spring Arbor (Mich.) and advance to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history, 58-54.
The Grenadiers trailed 36-28 at halftime and 46-36 midway through the second half. After IU Southeast’s Rick Bodiford cut the lead to 46-40 on a steal and bucket, Spring Arbor’s D.J. Baisden gave the Cougars an eight-point lead with a basket before IU Southeast went on its run.
“We were down eight points and wanted to get it down to four. We kept setting goals and we were able to achieve them through hustle and perseverance,” IU Southeast coach Wiley Brown said. “These guys just believe.”
A 3-pointer by Jazzmarr Ferguson gave the Grenadiers their first lead of the second half at 55-54 with 3:10 remaining. Ferguson then converted a three-point play with 54 seconds left to seal the victory.
“Our guys showed me a lot of character against a great Spring Arbor team today,” Brown said. “We have seven seniors who did not want to go home. I am proud of them because they did not get discouraged and kept working hard throughout the game.”
Bodiford hit eight of his nine shots from the field and made 2-of-3 free throws to lead the Grenadiers with 18 points. He also had six rebounds and two steals.
“He’s always going to help out on the offensive end,” Brown said of the 6-foot-4 guard/forward from Louisville. “He played big for us today when we needed him. He came through.”
Ferguson added 16 points, eight rebounds and six assists for IU Southeast, which improved to 27-4 with the victory. Carlos Mitchell and New Albany product Craig Bryant added seven points apiece, and Alex Gravelle had six for IUS.
Baisden led the Cougars with 13 points.
The fifth-ranked Grenadiers will face No. 4 Bellevue (Neb.) in the tournament’s quarterfinals at 4 this afternoon. Bellevue knocked off No. 13 Cedarville (Ohio) on Friday, 70-69.
“It’s going to be a tough matchup,” Brown said of the 27-7 Bruins. “They like to get out and run, like we do. But they have some big guys that are going to be tough for us (to defend). It’s going to be a tough matchup. We’re looking forward to the challenge.”
Floyd County Sports
COLLEGE HOOPS: Grenadiers make history with 58-54 victory
IUS in Elite Eight for first time
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