The College of the Ozarks fell in the second round to Bethel, Ind. (photo/NAIA)
Bethel College (Ind.) got into the quarterfinals by beating College of the Ozarks 67-64 in the second round of the NAIA Division II Men’s Basketball National Championship. The 2014 event is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Mo.
Bethel flew out to a quick 11-4 advantage before the Bobcats went on a commanding 11-0 run, capped off with a three-pointer from Derek Daniels to claim a 15-11 lead with 13:23 remaining in the first half.
College of the Ozarks increased its lead to eight (23-15) with 9:26 remaining after a basket by Cameron Paschke, but the Pilots owned the final seven minutes of play using a 20-4 spurt featuring a bucket at the buzzer from Bethel’s Michael Mislan to capture a 37-27 lead at intermission.
The Pilots connected on a three-pointer from Zach Miller in the early going of the final half to give Bethel a 40-27.
A scary scene unfolded as Bethel senior Patrick Oetting blocked a shot attempt and fell hard on the ground becoming motionless. He was immediately assisted by College of the Ozarks athletic training and medical personnel where he was taken to a local hospital.
Teams were allowed an additional two minutes to warm up after the ten minutes delay in action.
The Pilots were in shock after Oetting’s absence as the Bobcats rallied for an 11-4 run to climb to within three (44-41) with 12:07 to play.
A three-pointer from Bethel’s Ryan Benner put his squad up 62-58 with 2:22 left to play.
College of the Ozarks made it a two-point ballgame at 64-62 with 29 seconds left, but the Bobcats fouled Bethel’s Matt Schauss, who converted on both of his free throws to make it a 66-62 ballgame. C of O made it a two game again with just 15 seconds left. The Bobcats again fouled Schauss, who connected on the first, but missed to make it still a one possession game. Ozarks put the ball into the hands of Derek Daniels who’s three-point attempt was off the mark giving the Pilots the 67-64 victory.
Story courtesy of Robbie Lightfoot–Bethel.
