Bruins shoot 41% in loss

March 18, 2008

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - In a rematch of the 2004 national championship game, Oregon Tech, the 11th seed, defeated top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) 63-56 to win their second ever national championship. The Hustlin' Owls finish their championship season with a 31-6 overall record. The 17th-annual event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

The top-seeded Bruins began the game with an 8-2 run, sparked by a pair of three pointers by junior Chance Wallesen. Oregon Tech answered back with the next 14 points, led by NAIA Player-of-the-Year Ryan Fiegi with six during the run. The Hustlin' Owls led by as much as eight (26-18) before Bellevue scored the final five points of the first half to put the halftime score at 26-23. Both teams struggled from the field as Oregon Tech shot 39% while the Bruins made 29% of their field goal attempts.

The Bruins continued their comeback at the start of the second half and tied the score at 30 after a Ben Thorn three pointer with 17 minutes left. Bellevue held the lead briefly (32-30) after a basket by John Gray but a Ryan Beesley three pointer put Oregon Tech back in front (35-32). Bruin guard Matt Imig tied the game at 37 on a three pointer but the Hustlin' Owls took the lead for good with 10 minutes left to play on a 7-0 run. The Bruins made one final charge after back-to-back baskets by Jerrod Tucker cut the lead to three. Oregon Tech, however, on five straight points by Jguwon Hogges was able to hold on for the victory, 63-56. The 119 combined points matched the lowest scoring championship game in tournament history (1993-Williamette (Ore.) def. Northern State (S.D.).

Oregon Tech shot 43% for the game, 46% in the second half. Ryan Fiegi, the tournament's Most Outstanding Player, led all players with 22 points. The senior led the tournament with 112 points in the five games. Jguwon Hogges and Ryan Beesley added 14 and 10 points, respectively. Josh Wetzler pulled down 10 more rebounds to increase his tournament leading total to 56.

Bellevue shot 41% from the floor, well below their tournament average of 52%. John Gray led the Bruins with 14 points and pulled down seven rebounds in his final game. Ben Thorn came off the bench to score 10 and Hannibal Cofield added seven points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Bellevue, which lost to Oregon Tech in the 2004 championship game (81-72), ends their season at 33-4.

John Gray hits late free throws to seal victory

Championship Information

March 17, 2008

Point Lookout, Mo. - Top-seeded Bellevue (Neb.) defeated #5 Northwestern (Iowa) 70-67 in the first game of the Final Four and will advance to their second ever championship game. The 2008 NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship is being played at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of the College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

Northwestern led 7-5 before a 6-0 Bellevue run put the Bruins up 11-7. Five straight Red Raider points put NWC back up by one, sparked by a Ben Brown three-pointer. The game remained tight the rest of the half but the Bruins were able to open their biggest lead of the game at halftime, 34-26.

A 5-2 run to start the second half put Bellevue up 10, 38-28, the biggest lead for either team. Northwestern responded with a 10-2 run to cut the lead down to two with 15 minutes left. The Red Raiders tied the game at 42 but Bellevue quickly pulled ahead again, 51-46 behind baskets by senior forward Klaye Rowe.

The Bruins opened up a seven point lead only to have Northwestern battle back and after a driving lay-up by Red Raider guard Kale Wiertzema, the lead was down to one 62-61 with 1:30 left to play. Bellevue forward John Gray converted a three point play to put his team back up by five. Northwestern responded right back with a three point play by Chad Schuiteman and trailed by two, 66-64. Behind four, Wiertzema nailed a three pointer to cut it to one, 68-67 with 3.7 seconds to go. Two free throws by John Gray put the Bruins up three and Northwestern missed a game-tying three pointer as time expired to send Bellevue into the championship.

Belleuve shot 54% for the game, 59% in the second half. Senior John Gray led all scorers with 22 points. Hannibal Cofield added 14 while Klaye Rowe netted 12. The Bruins forced 12 first half turnovers and held Northwestern to just 39% from the field.

Northwestern was led by Kale Wiertzema with 19 points. Chad Schuiteman closed his career with 17 points and nine rebounds. In doing so, Schuiteman became the tournament's all-time leading rebounder with 134, breaking the old record of 130 set by Emiko Etete (Northwest Nazarene) set during the 1992-95 seasons. Seniors Curt Schilling and Mark DeYounge closed out their careers with 12 and 11 points, respectively. The Red Raiders, making their tournament best sixth Final Four appearance, end their season with a 30-5 record.

Bellevue advances to the title game with a 33-3 record and will play #11 Oregon Tech in the championship game tomorrow night at 8:30 p.m. The 32-team, single-elimination tournament concludes on Tuesday, March 18.

Bruins advance to final-four
(press release: Eric Taylor)

NAIA Championship Information

March 15, 2008

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. -- Bellevue University moved a step closer to a national championship with a 73-69 victory Saturday over Bethel College in the quarterfinals of the NAIA Division II National Basketball Tournament.

The 32-3 Bruins will face Northwestern (Iowa) College in Monday's first semifinal game at 6 p.m. The Red Raiders ousted Northwoods (Fla.) College 96-70 in the Saturday's second quarterfinal game.

It is the Bruins' first trip to the semifinals since reaching the title game in 2004.

"This team is so competitive and because of that, it's given them a chance to do something great," said BU coach Todd Eisner. "All year long, I've had a hard time finding the identity of this team. The only thing I know is that they have a passion to win and they will bite, grab, hold and push until it's over. Whatever it takes."

Much like Friday's win over Aquinas, Bellevue needed some big plays in the final minute to get the victory.

Nursing a two-point lead in the final minute, John Gray hit a jumper to put the Bruins up four with 52 seconds left. Bellevue then got four consecutive free throws from Stanley Boateng and Davon White to hold a 72-66 advantage with 23.7 ticks remaining.

Bethel's Ryne Lightfoot hit a 3-pointer to cut the lead in half with 16.8 seconds left, but Boateng made one of two free throws moments later to seal the victory.

Gray, a senior out of Chicago Heights, Ill., finished with 15 points and Chance Wallesen, a junior from Bridgeport, Neb., netted 11. Wallesen drilled a trio of 3-pointers while Matt Imig knocked down a pair off the bench as Bellevue hit seven treys on the day, five in the first half.

"After teams see us a couple of days down here, they know to pack in the paint," Eisner said. "We have to be able to hit some three's to loosen that up."

Pilot big man William Walker finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, but Eisner thought the post duo of Jerrod Tucker and Klaye Rowe did just enough to slow him down.

"We subbed our posts enough and made them work so hard, I really think it wore them down," Eisner said.

Lightfoot led all scorers with 22.

Bruins roll in first-round victory

March 12, 2008

POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. – The top-seeded Bellevue University Bruins needed two minutes before running away with their opening round game against the College of Saint Joseph (Vt.) going up 6-3 following a Chance Wallesen three-pointer that broke the only tie of the game (3-3).

The Bruins, 30-3, went on to win their ninth straight game with a 111-52 victory, a season-best, over the Fighting Saints and set a NAIA tournament in doing so. Bellevue University made 45 field goals in the game surpassing the old mark of 44 set in 1995 (Hastings-Neb. vs. Husson-Maine).

Bellevue improves to 5-4 in first round games having won five of their last six. On Friday, the Bruins will face Aquinas College (Mich.) (25-8) in the sweet-sixteen on Friday, March 14 at 10:15 a.m. (CST). Aquinas defeated Dakota Wesleyan 91-66 in the 10:45 a.m. on Wednesday afternoon on the opening day of the national tournament.

Bellevue had a six-point, 11-5 lead, when Saint Joseph made their first shot in six minutes failing to produce any offense with their previous eight possessions. The Bruins, having lost only once as a seeded team, went on a 17-2 run capped off by a Hannibal Cofield (Omaha, Neb.) field goal.

Saint Joseph made the score 28-8 after a free throw that ended a scoring drought of three minutes. The No. 1 seed Bellevue University Bruins outscored the Fighting Saints 28-15 in the final eight minutes of the first half with the score 56-25 at intermission. The 56 points were the most scored in a first half by Bellevue all season.

The Bruins shot 51 percent (22-for-43) in that first half holding Saint Joseph’s to 25 percent on 6-of-24 from the field forcing 15 turnovers. By the completion of the first twenty minutes, Bellevue had already grabbed 29 rebounds 9 off their game average.

Both teams opened the second half without producing on either of their first possessions, but Bellevue kept rolling going on an 18-5 run in the first six minutes. Saint Joseph’s was held scoreless for the next four minutes with a field goal coming at the 13:55 mark making the deficit 42 (74-32).

Bellevue wrapped up the victory out-scoring Saint Joseph’s 25-12 in the final four minutes of the game notching the victory 111-52 with 59 points being an unofficial record for largest margin of victory in tournament history.

Cy Carlson (Aurora, Neb.) led the top-seeded Bellevue University Bruins off the bench with 13 points on 3-of-6 shooting from behind the arc connecting on 4-for-4 at the charity stripe. Four other Bruins finished in double-figures with 12 points each from Hannibal Cofield, Jerrod Tucker and Klaye Rowe. John Gray (Chicago Heights, IL) added 11 points and 5 rebounds as Cofield led the team with 7 rebounds, five in the first half.

Bellevue finished the game shooting 57 percent (45-for-79) and were 15-for-22 at the charity stripe pulling down 59 rebounds, two off the mark of the tournament record (61) set in 1999 by Embry-Riddle over the Bruins.

College of Saint Joseph will have their season end at 13-15 getting a game-high 17 points from Rich Ortega making 7-of-13 from the field. Ortega was only 1-for-6 at the charity stripe unlike teammate Rui Carmo who was 7-for-10; Carmo finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds. The Fighting Saints finished with 28 turnovers making 28 percent of their shots and 18 percent (4-for-22) from three-point range.

Bellevue University finished the game with 70 points in the paint with 71 of the team’s 111 points coming from the bench as Davon White and Matt Imig contributed 9 and 8 respectively. The Bruins had 24 assists to 7 of Saint Joseph with a game-high coming from Bellevue’s from Stanley Boateng.

Bellevue wins second straight championship

BELLEVUE, NE – Bellevue University held Oklahoma Wesleyan University to 35 percent from the floor and shot 46 percent themselves to win their second straight MCAC Tournament Championship, 72-61, at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center on Saturday night.

Bellevue University, who won the regular season championship, is 29-3 overall and have won their last seven games pushing their home winning streak to 40 games. Coach Eisner won his 301st game Saturday night with the championship as Hannibal Cofield surpassed the 500 career rebound mark.

With the victory, the Bruins will earn an automatic bid to the 2007-08 NAIA National Tournament hosted by College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri beginning on March 12.

Oklahoma Wesleyan took the first lead of the game and was up 9-4 just five minutes into the game. The Bruins responded with a 5-0 run capped off by a Jerrod Tucker free throw that tied the game for the third time. Bellevue had their first lead of the game at 10-9 after the second Tucker free throw.

After falling behind (12-17) five minutes later, Bellevue University, rated No. 3 in NAIA, closed out the half on a 25-11 run taking a 37-28 halftime lead into the locker room. In the second half, the host Bruins extended their lead to 13 points (44-31) with 15:48 on the clock. The visiting Eagles (rated No. 21 in NAIA) went on a small 4-0 run closing the score to 46-37 which would be the closest they would get until the 2:13 mark with the score 61-56, Bruins ahead.

With a repeat of Tuesday night in the makings, Bellevue closed the game out-scoring Oklahoma Wesleyan 9-5 making five of their final six free throws down the stretch.

Bellevue University had four players in double-figures with Stanley Boateng leading the way making 8-of-11 from the charity stripe. Boateng added five rebounds as Ben Thorn had 11 points in the start on 5-of-9 from the floor with six rebounds. Hannibal Cofield and Davon White each contributed 10 points as Klaye Rowe grabbed seven rebounds to lead the team.

The Bruins shot 47 percent from the field out-rebounding the Eagles 41-25 with 16 assists but committed 17 turnovers to 11 of their opponent. Oklahoma Wesleyan was 5-for-24 from three-point range making 35 percent of their shots and 21 percent of their three-pointers.

Austin Johnson led Oklahoma Wesleyan, 25-7 overall, with 13 points on 3-of-7 from the field. Johnson was 5-for-5 at the free throw line with a rebound and two steals. Steve Briggs, the leading scorer in the conference, had 11 points making 4 of 17 attempts, 2-for-11 3-pointers with three rebounds. Sadiel Rojas added 10 points and four rebounds in the loss.

The Eagles will now await the results of the remaining conference tournaments to see if they will earn an at-large bid to the NAIA National Tournament. Bellevue’s has punched their ticket and will wait until next week to found out their seed and first round.

2007-08 All-MCAC First-Team
Daniel Bandy - College of the Ozarks
Steve Briggs - Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Klaye Rowe - Bellevue University
John Gray - Bellevue University
Chris Pullen - College of the Ozarks
Sadiel Rojas - Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Corey Stone - College of the Ozarks
Joe Mews - Peru State College
Ben Carrywater - Haskell Indian Nations University
Chris Crawford - Central Christian College

Coach of the Year Todd Eisner – Bellevue University
Player of the Year Daniel Bandy – College of the Ozarks
Newcomer of the Year Steve Briggs – Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Freshman of the Year Sadiel Rojas – Oklahoma Wesleyan University

2007-08 MCAC Tournament Results
Semifinals (Friday, Feb. 29) 
#3 Oklahoma Wesleyan University defeated #2 College of the Ozarks, 71-68 (OT)
#1 Bellevue University defeated #4 Peru State College, 75-62

Final (Saturday, March 1)
#1 Bellevue University defeated #3 Oklahoma Wesleyan University; 72-61
(MCAC Championship)

Eisner reaches career 300 victories milestone

February 29, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – The No. 1 seed Bellevue University Bruins and No. 3 seed Oklahoma Wesleyan will advance to the 2007-08 MCAC Tournament Championship on Saturday with victories on Friday night in the semi-finals. Oklahoma Wesleyan held off College of the Ozarks to advance to the championship game needing an overtime period to do so as Bellevue University increase their winning streak to seven games advancing to tomorrow’s game with a win against Peru State College.

Oklahoma Wesleyan University defeated College of the Ozarks 71-68 with Bellevue University winning the night cap 75-62 and will face each other Saturday (Mar. 1) night at 7 p.m. on the campus of Bellevue University.

The 21st rated Oklahoma Wesleyan (24-6 overall) won the first game taking an early 11-0 lead over seventh rated College of the Ozarks shooting 48 percent in the first half taking a 37-26 lead by halftime. The Bobcats were held to 28 percent from the field in the first half and were 1-for-16 from three-point range. College of the Ozarks (25-5 overall), despite their poor first half shooting percentage (27%), closed out the first half on a 17-6 run pulling to within eight points (26-34) before intermission.

Oklahoma Wesleyan opened up the second half increasing the lead to 53-40 but College of the Ozarks went on 10-0 run to pull to within 52-53 at the 4:32 mark. Drew Ray tied the game for the Bobcats draining a three-pointer with 12 seconds remaining to force overtime. In the overtime frame, Josh Dennis dropped a three from the corner vaulting Oklahoma Wesleyan over College of the Ozarks and into the championship game on Saturday.

Sadiel Rojas led Oklahoma Wesleyan with 17 points as three other Eagle players recorded double-figures in the game. Isaiah Peterson was 7-for-8 with 16 points as Josh Dennis, who hit the game-winner, finished with 14 points and six rebounds. Steve Briggs, the leading scorer in the conference added 11 points in the win. Rojas had nine rebounds to lead the team. The Eagles shot 42 percent from the field and 38 percent from behind the arc (9-for-24).

College of the Ozarks got a game-high 27 points from Drew Ray making 6-for-8 from three-point range as Jared Howerton recorded a double-double off the bench with 14 points and 10 rebounds. Daniel Bandy added 10 points as Corey Stone contributed 8 points and 11 rebounds. The Bobcats out-rebounded the Eagles 51-40 and shot 31 percent from the field making 16-of-24 free throws.

In the night cap, Bellevue University improved to 28-3 by defeating Peru State College 75-62 shooting 71 in the second half and 58 percent for the game. Peru State kept pace with Bellevue in the first half taking a 13-12 lead at the 13:02 mark, but the host Bruins went on a 20-8 run to reclaim the lead pushing the margin to 11 (32-21) with less than five minutes left in the first half.

Following a Davon White field goal, Bellevue had their largest lead of the game at 14 (38-24), but Peru State scored the final five points before half closing the gap to nine (38-29). In the second half, the visiting Bobcats pulled to within six points at the 17:23 mark but Bellevue took over and out-scored their opponent 16-7 taking a 59-44 lead.

Bellevue closed out the game giving head coach, Todd Eisner, his 300th career victory, “Winning 300 games just means I have been fortunate to have coached talented players that have helped achieve this level of success year after year.”

As for the victory, “I am pleased to be playing in the [MCAC] championship, but we will need to play much better tomorrow,” said Todd about his team’s performance on Friday night.

Peru State College will close out their season at 8-22 overall as they shot 48 percent in the second half and 41 percent for the game. Joe Mews led all scorers with 26 points making 7-of-12 3-pointers as three other Bobcat players added 11 points each; Jesse Haynes, Julius Durant and Herman VanDenBrandt off the bench. Ryheen led Peru State with five rebounds as the team made 11-of-22 from three-point range.

Bellevue University was led by senior Hannibal Cofield with 18 points on 7-of-8 from the field grabbing a game-high nine rebounds. Davon White was the only other player for Bellevue to score in double-figures with 11 points but dished out a game- and career-high seven assists. John Gray added nine points as the Bruins shot 58 percent in the game out-rebounded their opponent 29-21 and by 15 in the assists category (24-9).

MCAC Tournament Results and Schedule
Semifinals (Friday, Feb. 29)
#3 Oklahoma Wesleyan University defeated #2 College of the Ozarks, 71-68 (OT)
#1 Bellevue University defeated #4 Peru State College, 75-62

Final (Saturday, March 1)
#3 Oklahoma Wesleyan University vs. #1 Bellevue University, 7 p.m.
(MCAC Championship)

Bellevue wins regular season conference championship

February 26, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – The long anticipated game between Bellevue University (11-1 in the MCAC) and Oklahoma Wesleyan University has come and gone with the host Bruins, rated No. 5 in NAIA, coming out victorious over the Eagles (No. 24), 82-77 wrapping-up home court for the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament this Friday and Saturday (Feb. 29-Mar. 1).

With 32 seconds left in regulation and the Bruins (27-3 overall) holding onto a slim 78-74 lead - Oklahoma Wesleyan got the ball following a long discussion after a shot clock violation was overturned from a jump-ball which would have given possession back to Bellevue. The Eagles inbounded then seconds later had the ball stolen then committed a foul that sent Bellevue’s John Gray to the free line.

The lead was six points with 22 seconds remaining when the leading scorer in the league, Steve Briggs, nailed a three-point basket making the margin three (80-77). Oklahoma Wesleyan (8-4 in the conference) had a chance to tie, but the jump-ball called in front of the Eagle bench was in Bellevue’s favor. After a pair of free throw, Bellevue walked away with the regular season conference championship and will play host to the tournament this weekend. "I am very proud of the players for winning the regular season conference championship," said eighth-year coach Todd Eisner.

It was a slow start to the game with both teams making runs of their own sending Bellevue into the locker room with a comfortable 14-point 42-28 lead. Previously, when these two teams met, the Bruins rallied from 16 down to beat the Eagles in Oklahoma. The same would almost be true here. The host Bellevue Bruins had their largest lead of the game at 18 points with 11:52 on the clock, but that would be erased. Oklahoma Wesleyan out-scored Bellevue 27-13 over the next ten minutes pulling to within four (78-74) with a minute remaining. The host Bruins would connect on free throws down the stretch sealing the victory.

At half, Bellevue was 13-for-30 from the floor and 6-for-16 beyond the arc making 10-of-12 free throws. Oklahoma Wesleyan was 3-for-12 from downtown shooting 35 percent from the field (9-for-26) in the first half. The second half was a completely different story with the Eagles connecting on 15-of-26 from the field which included 7-for-14 from three-point range.

The Bruins, for the second straight game, were out-shot from the field making 45.6 percent compared to 46 percent of the Eagles, due in part of their 58 shooting percent of the second half. Bellevue did force 22 Oklahoma Wesleyan turnovers compared to 12 and dished out 22 assists. The Eagles had a very slim rebounding margin of 35-34 making 19 of their 24 free throw attempts for 79 percent. Bellevue shot 74 percent at the charity stripe.

John Gray led Bellevue with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting and made 5-of-7 at the free throw line grabbing a pair of boards. Chance Wallesen connected on 3-of-7 from downtown adding a pair of free throws for 13 points as Hannibal Cofield and Ben Thorn added 10 points each. Cofield led the team with 8 rebounds as Gray had a game-high six assists. Davon White was 5-for-7 at the foul line contributing 9 points off the bench.

Steve Briggs led all point getters by scoring 19 of his game-high 27 points in the second half. Briggs was a solid 7-for-12 from the field including 5-of-9 from the three-point line. Sadiel Rojas picked up a double-double with 16 points and 15 rebounds after being held in check with two points at half. Josh Dennis added 14 points in the loss on 5-of-12 shooting with four turnovers.

The MCAC Tournament will begin this Friday (Feb. 29) at 5:30 p.m. with a match-up against second-seeded College of the Ozarks (Mo.) and third-seeded Oklahoma Wesleyan University. Friday’s semi-finals will conclude with a 7:30 p.m. nightcap featuring the No. 1 seed, and host, Bellevue University (Neb.) Bruins against No. 4 seed Peru State College (Neb.). The Championship game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Saturday (Mar. 1) with the winner earning an automatic bid to the 2007-08 NAIA National Tournament in Point Lookout, Missouri starting on March 12.

Bruins out-score Tigers by 11 in second half

February 22, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – The fifth-rated Bellevue University Bruins won their fifth straight game following their 22-point, 67-45, victory over Central Christian College on Friday night at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The Bruins out-scored the visiting Tigers by 11 each half winning their 38th straight home victory.

Bellevue, 26-3 overall, opened a 7-0 lead in the first three minutes of the game, but Central Christian roared back scoring the next five points pulling to within two (7-5). In the next ten minutes, the lead was around eight points until the 6:40 mark when John Gray made a layup to put Bellevue up by 10 (22-12). Two minutes later, the host Bruins had their largest margin of 12 (27-15) following a Klaye Rowe field goal.

Bellevue shot 43 percent in the first half taking an eleven point, 33-22, lead into the locker room. Central Christian opened the second half on a 9-2 run closing the score to 35-31 with 16 minutes to play. That was the closest the Tigers would get as the host Bruins out-scored Central Christian 32-14 to close out the game.

John Gray (Chicago Heights, IL) led the Bruins (9-1 in conference) with 13 points on 4-of-12 from the field making all five attempts from the free throw line. Gray added nine rebounds in the victory. Klaye Rowe was 5-for-16 from the floor for 12 points adding five rebounds committing five turnovers. Bellevue out-scored Central Christian’s bench 28-11 in large part by Devon White’s 11 points on 5-of-7.

As a team, Bellevue shot 43 percent in the victory, their second worst performance at home since shooting 39 percent in a win against Park University last December. Defensively, the Bruins forced 29 Tiger turnovers recording 15 steals holding their opponents to 45 percent from the field, 30 percent in 3-pointers.

Central Christian College, 14-14 overall and 2-9 in the conference, had 12 points from Chris Crawford, 10 in the first half. Jordan Crawford added 10 points in the loss and a pair of rebounds. Kevin Malone had 9 points on 4-of-8 from the field including 1-for-5 beyond the arc. The Tigers were out-scored in the paint 24-40 as two players had five turnovers each, Chris Crawford and Braydon Crowe.

Saturday, February 23, the Bellevue University and Oklahoma Wesleyan game has been postponed and will be reschedule to next Tuesday, February 26 at 7 p.m. Bellevue will await the result of their game for the host site to be determined.

Bruins tied at top of league with win

February 16, 2008

LAWRENCE, KS -- Bellevue University got past Haskell Indian Nations 68-59 on Saturday night to stay tied for first place in the league with College of the Ozarks at 9-1. Bellevue improves to 25-3 overall and extends their win streak to four games heading into the final weekend of the regular and conference season. The Bruins shot 63 percent from the field and out-scored the Fightin' Indians 39-32 in the second half to head home with the nine-point victory.

Bellevue was only 10-of-16 from the field, but shot 75 percent from the free throw line (18-of-24) to get past Haskell in the second half. The Bruins held Haskell to 36 percent shooting for the game and 18 percent from three-point range (4-of-22) but committed 22 turnovers. For the 12th time this season, Bellevue recorded 40 or more rebounds as they dished out 10 assists and 10 steals.

Klaye Rowe had his seventh double-double this season to lead the Bruins with 17 points and 12 rebounds. Rowe was 6-of-11 from the field and made 4-of-6 fouls shots but committed five turnovers to lead the team with Davon White (5). John Gray had double-digits with 13 points scoring the bulk of his points from the charity stripe going 9-of-10. Jerrod Tucker came off the bench and added 11 points on 5-of-6 shooting with three rebounds. Chance Wallesen had seven points for the Bruins as Ben Thorn and White had six points each.

Haskell Indian Nations University falls to 10-17 on the season but tied for fourth place in the conference with a 3-7 record. The Fightin' Indians were led by Terrance Little Thunder with 21 points on 8-of-10 from the floor grabbing seven rebounds. John Tarbell scored 11 points off the bench on a rough 5-of-12 shooting performance with three turnovers and a steal. Ben Carrywater was shut down again scoring only  three points on five shots but lead the team with eight rebounds. Dominic Clichee was 2-for-10 in the game which included 1-of-6 3-pointers for seven points and two assists.

Bellevue has two games left in the season before awaiting the conference tournament on February 29. Next weekend, Bellevue will host Central Christian College on Friday (Feb. 22) at 7:30 p.m. with a season finale against rated Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Saturday (Feb. 23). The final game is scheduled for 5 p.m.

Four players scoring in double-figures

February 15, 2008

JOHNSON, NE -- Bellevue University stayed atop the MCAC following a 77-45 victory over Peru State College on Friday night at Johnson-Brock High School. The Bruins, having won three straight, had a 34-22 lead at intermission and out-scored the Bobcats by twenty in the second half (43-23) to take home their 24th victory of the season. Bellevue shot 62 percent and held Peru State to 36 percent from the field as the Bruins dished out 22 assists, their third highest out-put for a game this season.

Bellevue shot 42 percent from three-point range (8-of-19) and pulled down 28 rebounds forcing 20 turnovers. The Bruins had nine steals in the victory as Peru State College was held to 33 percent shooting from downtown (7-for-21). In one of the shortest games played all season, both teams combined to shoot 3-of-14 from the chariy stripe as Bellevue and Peru combined for 26 total fouls.

Klaye Rowe led Bellevue (24-3, 8-1) with 14 points on 6-of-11 from the field and 2-of-3 from three point range pulling down six rebounds. John Gray, Chance Wallesen and Jerrod Tucker each had 12 points and combined to shoot 15-of-23 from the floor. Wallesen was 4-of-7 from behind the arc as John Gray as 5-of-9 from the field getting a 6-for-7 performance from Tucker inside. Gray added six rebounds as Davon White and Tyler Tomasek added six points each.

Peru State College didn't have a player score in double-digits, but instead had three players score eight points each. Jesse Haynes was 3-for-8 from the field for eight points as Herman VanDenBrandt struggled on 4-of-10, also with eight points. Julius Durant scored eight points on 3-of-8 from the field and 2-of-4 from downtown. Haynes had four turnovers in the loss getting a team-high four rebounds from both Joe Mews and VanDenBrandt.

The Bruins will conclude their weekend with a game on Saturday afternoon on the road in Lawrence, Kansas. Bellevue and Haskell Indian Nations will face-off on February 16 at 5 p.m.

John Gray scores 22 as Klaye Rowe adds 21 in victory

February 9, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – The No. 9 rated Bruins avenged their loss last week with a 14-point 92-78 victory over No. 4 College of the Ozarks. The Bruins shot 60 percent in the first half taking a 12-point, 42-30, lead into the locker room as they held the visiting Bobcats to 36 percent from the field and 22 percent (4-of-18) from three-point range.

College of the Ozarks came out shooting and made two three-pointers going up 10-4 at the 17:26 minute mark. Bellevue answered with an 8-2 run to tie the game up at 12’s following a Klaye Rowe three. The game stayed in favor of the visiting Bobcats for the next three minutes as they led 18-14 making their third from behind the arc.

In the next seven minutes, Bellevue went on a 13-4 run taking a 27-22 lead with just over five minutes before halftime. The Bruins out-scored the Bobcats 15-8 over the final five minutes before intermission.

The Bobcats warmed up early from downtown in the second half as they connected on two early three-pointers to close to within seven points (45-38). With the score 48-41 in favor of Bellevue at the 15:34 minute mark, College of the Ozarks went cold making one basket over the next three minutes extending the lead back to 11 (54-43) for Bellevue.

With four minutes left, College of the Ozarks made one last effort and closed the score to 74-67 but Bellevue went 18-11 down the stretch to pick up the victory. “I was very pleased with the win, our guys played hard,” said eighth year coach Todd Eisner. “It was our best win of the season!”

Bellevue University extends their home-winning streak to 37 straight games ending the 13-game win streak of College of the Ozarks. The Bruins will improve to 23-3 on the season and sit tied atop the MCAC at 7-1 with the Bobcats (22-3 overall). The Bruins shot 60 percent in the game and 54 percent from three-point range as the Bobcats shot 41 percent and 31 percent (10-for-32) from behind the arc.

John Gray led Bellevue with 22 points on 5-of-7 from the field making all three shots from three-point range. Gray was 9-of-10 at the charity stripe and pulled down six rebounds. Klaye Rowe added 21 points in the victory on 9-of-14 as Hannibal Cofield and Chance Wallesen each contributed 12 points each. The Bruin starters scored 76 of the teams 92 points compared to 62 points from the Bobcat starting five.

The No. 9 rated Bruins picked up 37 rebounds to 24 of the Bobcats as both teams combined to shoot 57 free throws. Bellevue was 28-of-36 at the charity stripe as College of the Ozarks connected on 18-of-21.

Colt Blair led the Bobcats in scoring with 22 points on 8-of-15 shooting and 4-of-8 from three-point range as Daniel Bandy fouled out with 16 points making 3-of-7 3-pointers. Corey Stone added 14 points in the loss on a tough 4-of-15 from the field but was perfect at the free throw line making 5-of-5.

The win will put two teams with a single loss in first place in the conference with four games remaining for each squad. Bellevue has two games slated for next weekend, Friday (Feb. 15) at Peru State College at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday (Feb. 16) at Haskell Indian Nations University, tip-off at 5 p.m. in Lawrence, Kansas.

Four players in double-figures for Bellevue

February 6, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – The Bellevue University men’s basketball team scored a season-high 56 first half points en route to defeated York College 83-58 in conference action Wednesday night at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The Bruins shot 62 percent from the field and grabbed 22 of their 41 total rebounds in the first half improving to 22-3 overall. York College committed 18 turnovers in the first half and will fall to 4-21 on the season.

The Bruins, who have now won an unprecedented 36 straight home victories, jumped out to a 16-4 lead by the 15:28 minute mark following a Jerrod Tucker (Chicago, IL) free throw. In next five minutes Bellevue built their lead to 32-17 and held the visiting Panthers scoreless until Jesse Anderson scored making the score 44-19 with four minutes remaining.
By halftime, Bellevue was in command taking a 27-point (57-29) lead into the locker room shooting 62 percent (24-for-39). In the second half, York College out-scored Bellevue 16-11 in the first ten minutes of the second half pulling the margin to within 20 points. Coach Todd Eisner in his eighth season brought back his starting line-up closing out the game out-scoring York by two points, 13-11. York won the second half 29-27 but the damage had already been done.

Bellevue University, rated No. 9 in NAIA, improved to 6-1 in the conference getting a game-high 22 points from senior Klaye Rowe (Papillion, NE) and 11 points each from John Gray and Chance Wallesen. Gray was 5-for-8 from the field as Wallesen connected on 3-of-5 from downtown. Ben Thorn, the senior from Kearney, Nebraska, contributed ten points off the bench as Jerrod Tucker added eight.

Rowe led the Bruins with seven rebounds as Hannibal Cofield pulled down six with five more coming from Phil McClain (Chicago, IL). Bellevue finished the game shooting 55 percent (35-for-64) making 44 percent of their three-pointers going 15-of-18 at the charity stripe.

Jaye Lewis led York College, now 2-5 in the conference, with 16 points making 4-of-7 from three-point range as Michael Lough added 12 points on 4-of-12 shooting, 2-of-4 3-pointers. Jesse Anderson scored 11 points before fouling out as Dashon Jones scored all 11 of his points in the second half. Darus Bowman led the team grabbing six of the team’s 20 total rebounds as the Panthers committed 26 turnovers in the loss, Lewis with five.

The Panthers shot 46 percent in the game (24-for-52), 50 percent in the second half, as they were held to 4-of-7 at the charity stripe. Bellevue committed a season-low 11 personal fouls in the game. York College was out-scored in the paint 60-26 and bench points 33-24 as the host Bruins picked up 29 points off turnovers.

Saturday will be a big game for the top-10 rated Bruins as they will welcome No. 4 College of the Ozarks in a rematch from last week’s 60-72 loss. The two teams will face-off on January 9 with the tip-off scheduled at 5 p.m. at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The visiting Bobcats are undefeated as of Wednesday night at 6-0 and in first place in the league.

Bruins drop first conference game

February 2, 2008

POINT LOOKOUT, MO -- Bellevue University suffered their first conference loss of the season ending their 19-game winning streak against conference opponents dating back to last year. The Bruins, rated No. 8, fell to the No. 7 team, in College of the Ozarks on the road, 60-72, at the Keeter Gymnasium.

Bellevue fell behind by four points at intermission, 22-26, as they shot less than 30 percent from the field. The Bruins were able to pull to within five points midway through the second half, but the home court advantage and only connecting on 33 percent of their shots were too much for Bellevue.

College of the Ozarks shot 41 percent in the game (26-for-63) while the Bruins were held to 33 percent (22-for-66) as they only made 1-of-13 three-point shots. Both teams shot well from the charity stripe, Bellevue at 83 percent (15-of-18) and College of the Ozarks at 84 percent (16-for-19).

Bellevue University goes to 21-2 on the season as their eight-game winning streak comes to an end. Klaye Rowe recorded his sixth double-double of the season leading both categories in the game with 19 points and 10 rebounds. Rowe was 8-for-20 in the game as John Gray had a rough night making only 2-of-12 from the floor.

Senior Hannibal Cofield (Omaha, NE) contributed 10 points on 4-of-8 from the floor as Ben Thron added seven points and four rebounds. As a team, Bellevue out-rebounded College of the Ozarks 44-40 as Jerrod Tucker and Gray had seven each.

College of the Ozarks will now sit atop the MCAC at 6-0 with their overall record improving to 20-2 overall having won ten-straight. Jared Howerton led the Bobcats with 18 points on 8-for-17 shooting including an 0-for-5 performance from beyond the arc. Corey Stone had 15 points as Colt Blair contributed 12 in the victory.

Daniel Bandy, the league player of the week, had 11 points on a tough 3-for-12 shooting night making only 1-of-5 from downtown. Corey Stone led the team with eight rebounds.

Three players score in double-digits as Bruins roll

Bellevue records 20th victory of season

January 26, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – Bellevue University stays atop the MCAC following their 93-61 victory on Saturday night over Haskell Indian Nations University at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The Bruins, rated No. 7 in NAIA scored 47 first-half points to take the Fightin’ Indians out of the game early. Haskell was held to 35 percent shooting while Bellevue finished the game making 33-of-53 for 62 percent.

In the first half, Bellevue used a 26-10 run from the 15 minute mark to the 4:34 minute mark taking a 37-15 lead after a Hannibal Cofield field goal. The Bruins pushed out to their largest lead by the end of the first half at 23 (47-24) as freshman, Matt Imig, made one-of-two free throws.

Chance Wallesen started the Bruins off hot in the second half by making a three-pointer only 17 second into the final half. However, Bellevue would only score once more in the next four minutes of the game as Haskell outscored Bellevue 10-2 pulling the margin to within 18 (52-34) at the 16:51 mark.

Bellevue answered back with a 9-0 run of their own not allowing a Fightin’ Indians basket over the next two minutes sealing the victory down the stretch. Bellevue’s largest margin was 28 points (81-53) until the final two field goals of the game.

Bellevue University, 20-2 overall and 4-0 in the MCAC, pulled down 35 rebounds and dished out 23 assists while recording 15 steals in the win. Haskell committed 30 turnovers in the loss while making only 6-of-23 from beyond the arc.

Hannibal Cofield scored a game-high 23 points to lead Bellevue University going 8-of-10 from the floor and a perfect 7-of-7 at the charity stripe. Three other players scored in double-figures, John Gray with 13 on 4-of-7 shooting and 6 rebounds getting 10 points each from Chance Wallesen and Jerrod Tucker.

Wallesen was 2-for-4 from three-point range while Tucker was 4-for-6 from the field and 2-of-3 at the free throw line. Klaye Rowe contributed 8 points and 7 rebounds as Cy Carlson poured in eight, five in the final two minutes of the game. The Bruins shot 64 percent in the second half while going 7-of-11 as a team at the charity stripe.

Haskell Indian Nations, 8-13 overall and 1-2 in the league, got a team-high 12 points from Terrance Little Thunder, 10 of which were scored in the second half. He finished the game going 5-of-9 from the field grabbing 4 rebounds. Leading rebounder in the conference at 10 per game, Ben Carrywater, had 7 rebounds and finished with 10 points, six below his average. Carrywater was held scoreless in the first half picking up two fouls.

Dominic Clichee added 10 points off the bench for the Fightin’ Indians going 2-of-3 from downtown but committed 4 turnovers. Vince Chavez and Chad Kayler each contributed 8 points in the loss.

Bellevue shoots 67 percent in second half

January 25, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – Bellevue shot 67 percent in the second half and out-scored Peru State 37-22 after falling behind 33-34 at the 17:32 mark to open the second half. The Bruins went on a 19-5 run to reclaim the lead with under ten minutes left (52-41) following a Peru State layup. The game, by that time was a bit out of reach for a struggling Peru State team which made only 2-of-7 during Bellevue’s run.

Bellevue University improves to 19-2 on the season and undefeated in the early stages of the conference schedule at 3-0 with the 14-point, 70-56 victory at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. The win puts the Bruins in the record books as they recorded their 34th straight home victory which dates back to the beginning of the 2005-06 season.

After the first half, and a Peru State 29-28 lead, Bellevue University shot 16-for-24 in the final half which included 3-of-5 from behind the three-point line. The Bruins finished the game at 54 percent (28-for-52) making 10-of-11 from the charity stripe. Peru State College shot 40 percent in the loss following an 8-of-24 second-half shooting performance, 3-of-10 three-pointers.

Klaye Rowe led the seventh rated Bellevue University Bruins with 11 of his game-high 18 points in the second half on 8-of-11 shooting. Rowe added 8 rebounds in the win making a pair of three-pointers. Hannibal Cofield came off the bench to contribute 14 points on 5-of-8 from the field grabbing 4 boards going 4-of-5 at the free throw line. John Gray, the MCAC Player of the Week, added 10 points and 3 rebounds with a pair of assists.

Bellevue University had 31 bench points to 8 of Peru State College and scored 36 of their teams 70 points from inside the paint. The Bruins out-rebounded the Bobcats 37-19 grabbing 9 offensive rebounds and dishing out 18 assists.

Peru State College will fall to 5-15 on the season and 1-2 in the league with a road game on Saturday at York College. Jess Haynes led the Bobcats with a team-high 17 points on a tough 6-of-13 shooting with two assists and three turnovers. Joe Mews made only three of his ten 3-point attempts adding 14 points in the loss also adding to the team’s 14 turnovers with three. Herman VanDenBrandt contributed 10 points and 5 rebounds for Peru.

Bellevue University will have a final home game this weekend before heading out on the road next Tuesday. The Bruins will face Haskell Indian Nations University at 5 p.m. on Saturday evening. Haskell is 10-8 on the season and 2-0 in the MCAC following their 90-87 win over York College on Friday night.

Bellevue scores 31 points in final ten minutes to win

January 19, 2008

BARTLESVILLE, OK – The No. 21 rated Bellevue University Bruins out-scored No. 21 Oklahoma Wesleyan University 31-17 over the final ten minutes of the second half to record their 18th victory of the season staying unbeaten in the league at 2-0.

The Bruins overcame their largest deficit of the season to battle back winning both games this weekend to climb atop of the MCAC standings at 2-0, tied with No. 13 College of the Ozarks.

Steve Briggs, the leading scorer in the league, put Oklahoma Wesleyan ahead in the first seconds of the game en-route to his 19 point, first-half performance. Bellevue recaptured the lead, 3-2, following a Chance Wallesen three-pointer. This was the last time the highly rated Bruins saw the lead until 71-69 late in the game.

Oklahoma Wesleyan took a 15-10 lead by the 13 minute mark then ran off 17 of the games next 25 points taking a commanding 32-16 lead with 7 minutes left in the first half. The Eagles maintained a 12-15 point margin until intermission taking a 13-point lead into the locker room.

Bellevue scored eight of the games next twelve points to open the second half pulling to within seven at 51-44. With twelve minutes remaining, the Bruins had erased their 13-point halftime deficit and closed the gap to three points at 52-49.

The host Eagles, who have won 2 of 5 at home over the Bruins since 2003, went on an 8-2 run to reclaim a nine point lead (60-51) with just under ten minutes left in regulation.

It took 30 minutes into the game, but Bellevue finally found their groove on the offensive and defense end out-scoring Oklahoma Wesleyan 31-17 in those final ten minutes handing the Eagles their third loss of the season.

Stanley Boateng led the Bruins in the second half going 3-for-4 from downtown after a dismal 0-for-6 first half. Boateng started making jumpers since the Eagles defense was playing off the senior transfer from Providence, Rhode Island.

With minutes remaining, Oklahoma Wesleyan had an opportunity to close the game to within two points, but a wide open Eagle lay-up was missed putting Bellevue in line to seal the game forcing Oklahoma to foul.

Oklahoma Wesleyan shot 46 percent (14-for-30) from the field including 7-for-18 from three-point range as Briggs led the Eagles with 19 first-half points. The 47 points scored were the most in a first half against Bellevue this season.

Bellevue University struggled from the field making 11-of-28 (39 percent) and 4-of-15 from behind the arc. The Bruins were 8-for-13 at the charity stripe unable to reach the double-bonus as the host Eagles were 12-for-17 shooting 70 percent from the line.

The Eagles got a game-high 29 points from Steve Briggs powered by 19-points in the first half. Briggs finished the game 9-for-24 from the field including 6-of-18 from three-point range. He knocked down 5-of-6 free throws and ended up with 4 rebounds.

Oklahoma Wesleyan, 15-3 overall and 1-1 in the MCAC, had three others finish in double-digits. Josh Dennis contributed 11 points off the bench as Austin Johnson scored 10 before fouling out. Sadiel Rojas recorded his second double-double in consecutive nights with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Isaiah Peterson added nine points in the loss.

As a team, Oklahoma shot 43 percent from the field (24-for-55) and 31 percent from downtown (9-for-29). The Eagles had 18 bench points and 24 points in the paint as they grabbed 35 rebounds, nine below their average (44.4). The second half at the charity stripe was not a friendly place for Oklahoma as they only made 50 percent of their attempts (7-of-14) and less than 20 percent from beyond the three-point line (2-for-11).

Bellevue University, 18-2 and 2-0 in the conference, shot better in the second half at 48 percent and finished the game at 44 percent (25-for-57). At the free throw line, the Bruins got to the bonus first making 17-for-25 free throws in the second half and 25-of-38 for the game as both teams combined to shoot 69 times from the charity stripe.

Stanley Boateng scored a career-high 20 points to lead the Bruins on a rough 7-of-17 from the field and 3-of-10 three-pointers. Boateng had 7 rebounds and was 3-for-5 at the free throw line. John Gray had his second highest scoring out-put of the season with 20 points as he was 7-of-11 from the charity stripe and 6-for-13 from the field. Gray also pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds.

Chance Wallesen scored all of his 11 points in the first half as he was 3-for-6 from three-point range grabbing a pair of rebounds with two assists in 25 minutes. Klaye Rowe had an off-night scoring 9 points getting into foul trouble in the first half. It was only the fifth time all season that Rowe didn't reach double-figures.

Jerrod Tucker contributed 8 points off the bench in his second game back since his foot injury as Neville Brown and Hannibal Cofield added 5 points respectively. Brown, the junior transfer, had a career-high 7 rebounds in the victory.

Bellevue will have a week to recover and prepare for two conference games next weekend. The Bruins will welcome Peru State College on Friday, January 25 at 7:30 p.m. with a January 26 match-up against Haskell Indian Nations University. Tip-off for the game is scheduled at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

Bruins win conference opener; stay undefeated against Tigers

January 18, 2007

Audio Broadcast

MCPHERSON, KS – The No. 12 rated Bellevue University Bruins out-scored Central Christian College 37-24 in the second half to win their conference opener 62-44 on Friday evening at the Ed Pyle Sports Complex. The Bruins ran their unbeaten streak against the Tigers to 11 games since their induction into the league in 2003.

Bellevue was down 6-1 within the first three minutes of the game but went on a 7-2 run to bring the game to its first tie at 8’s midway through the first half. With the score at 14-10 following a Central Christian three point basket, the nationally rated Bruins finished out the half by out-scoring the Tigers 15-6.

John Gray added to his first double-double of the season by opening the second half on a backdoor dunk putting Bellevue up by seven (27-20). Chance Wallesen (Bridgeport, NE) drained a three point basket vaulting Bellevue to a 10-point, 30-20 lead forcing a Central Christian timeout.

The Tigers battled back and closed the gap to within five points (36-31) at the 11:19 mark, but Bellevue answered back scoring the games next five points putting the lead back at ten.

With the lead at 41-31, Bellevue closed out the game by out-scoring their opponents 21-13 over the final ten minutes. The largest lead for the Bruins was 20 points at 62-42 with less than a minute remaining after Matt Imig drained his second free throw.

Bellevue University improves to 17-2 on the season and 1-0 in the Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference. Central Christian College goes to 9-6 on the season and 0-1 in the league. Bellevue shot 38 percent for the game (22-for-57) and 25 percent from three-point range as they held a high-scoring Tigers team to 27 percent (15-for-55) from the field.

For the second straight game, the Bruins recorded over 50 rebounds with 53 in the victory Friday night. Of those 53 boards, 17 were offensive leading to 14 second chance points. Central Christian College had 20 fouls compared to Bellevue’s 15, and committed 18 turnovers in the loss.

John Gray, the senior from Chicago Heights, Illinois, had his first double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 rebounds. Gray was 4-for-9 from the field making two free throws. Jerrod Tucker, in his first game back in over a month, scored 11 points off the bench on 5-of-7 shooting. Tucker added 5 rebounds in the victory as Klaye Rowe and Chance Wallesen contributed 8 points each.

Central Christian College got a team-high 11 points from Kevin Malone getting 9 from behind the arc (3-for-6). In the team’s 14 previous games, the Tigers have five players that average 9 points or more per contest. Louis Collins, Chris Crawford and Patrick Green average 12.6, 12.9 and 13.2 points per game, were held to a combined 24 points. Collins and Chris Crawford had 8 points each while Green added six.

Bellevue University will  take their four-game winning streak and head to Bartlesville and face Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Saturday evening at 5 p.m. Oklahoma Wesleyan won their game on Friday night, 88-68 over York College. The Eagles are now 15-2 on the season, 1-0 in conference and hold the No. 21 slot in the NAIA rankings.

Rowe scores 21 in Bellevue's 33rd straight home win

January 9, 2008

BELLEVUE, NE – In the second overtime, Bellevue was down by three (70-73) at home with three minutes remaining. John Gray nailed a clutch three-pointer to tie game for the Bruins at 73’s but lost the lead after a Park University free throw. With the score 74-73 and the advantage to Park, Hannibal Cofield, in his first game back in over a month, made two free throws taking a one point lead.

After another exchange of baskets, Bellevue had a one-point, 77-76 lead, and sealed the victory making three straight free throws making the score 80-76. Park scored with seconds remaining (80-78), but Bellevue sent senior John Gray on a ‘post-route’ as Klaye Rowe connected the long pass. Gray made the fast break lay-up and the three-point play following a Marcus Seidel foul with one second left.

Bellevue University tied a school record with their 33^rd straight home victory by defeating Park University 83-78 for the second time this season. The Bruins improve to 16-2 on the season despite only shooting 39 percent in the game. Park University has their three-game win streak end even though, as a team, they shot 52 percent in the first half. This was the Bruins’ first overtime victory of the year pushing their mark to 6-0 at home.

Park University took control of the game in the first half pushing their lead to ten points twice; 17-7 by the 14:44 minute mark and again six minutes before intermission at 31-21. Bellevue outscored Park 11-5 to close out the half as the visiting Pirates took a four-point, 36-32, lead into halftime.

In the second half, Bellevue went on a 5-0 run to take their first lead of the game since the 17:16 mark in the first half (5-4). The Bruins and Pirates battled back and forth for the next five minutes exchanging baskets when Bellevue took their largest lead at 52-47 following an 8-2 run.

Hannibal Cofield tied the score at 62-62 following a free throw for Bellevue as neither team scored in the final minute of regulation heading into overtime. In the extra frame, Ben Thorn (Kearney, NE) had a chance to win the game with 0.0 on the clock, but missed both free throws sending the teams to their first double-overtime of the year. In that final overtime, Bellevue battled back from a small three-point deficit to pick up the victory out-scoring the Pirates 14-9 in the final five minutes.

Klaye Rowe led the Bruins with his fifth double-double of the season scoring 9 of his game-high 21 points in the second half. Klaye finished with 21 points, 17 rebounds, and two assists making 10-of-20 from the field. Senior John Gray (Chicago Heights, IL), scored all of his 17 points in the second and overtime periods grabbing 3 boards making 6-of-8 from the charity stripe. Hannibal Cofield contributed 14 points, 12 in the second half, on 5-of-9 from the floor and 4-of-5 from the free throw line.

Ben Thorn, Chance Wallesen, and Carlos Bravo all scored six points in the victory as Bellevue made only 4 of 21 attempts from three points range. The Bruins were 65 percent from the free throw line (21-of-32) after making 80 percent in the first half. Bellevue out-scored Park 38-26 in the paint and 16-6 in second chance points brought in part by 20 offensive rebounds.

Park University, 10-8, had three players score 18 points in the game, none of which were the team’s leading scorer in Jon Meriweather who finished with 12 before fouling out. Michael Zimmerman was 6-of-13 from the field for 18 points, as Marcus Seidel also had 18 points on 7-of-12 shooting.

Arturo Donzella had made five three-pointers all season coming into tonight’s game, and matched his season total going 5-of-11 from three-point range in the game for 18 points. Donzella also had a team-high 8 rebounds. Jon Meriweather had 12 in the loss, six points below his average (18.1) making only 3-of-9 getting half his points from the charity stripe (6-of-7). Justin Hopper added 10 points in the start. Park was out-rebounded in the game by 16 (52-36) as they committed 18 turnovers compared to 17 of Bellevue.

Bellevue concludes their non-conference schedule and will get to the ‘meat’ of the season next week when they head out of town to Kansas. The Bruins will match-up against Central Christian College on January 18 at 7:30 p.m. before traveling down to Bartlesville, Oklahoma Wesleyan University on Saturday. The road trip will conclude against the Eagles on January 19 at 5 p.m.

Rowe and Gray combine for 28 points

January 5, 2008

SALINA, KS – Bellevue University used a 17-3 run down the stretch in the second half to drop Kansas Wesleyan University for the second time this season, 65-46, in the Coyotes home opener last Saturday afternoon. The Bruins held a 38-22 lead by intermission but saw it fade away as the Coyotes outscored Bellevue 15-8 over the first 12 minutes of the second half.

With Kansas Wesleyan, closing the margin to as little as six points (46-40) at the 7:53 mark, Bellevue regained a 12-point lead (52-40) by scoring six points over the next two minutes. The No. 15 NAIA rated Bruins improved to 15-2 on the season as they scored 19 of the game’s final 25 points.

Statistically it looked like the first game of the season for Kansas Wesleyan as they scored the first points of the game, but were held scoreless over the next five minutes as Bellevue went up 6-2. The Coyotes were able to tie the game at 11’s midway through the first half but the Bruins went into halftime on a 24-11 run taking a commanding 36-22 lead.

Bellevue University shot 44 percent (13-of-29) in the first half and held Kansas Wesleyan to a 25.7 percent (9-of-35) which included 1 of 11 from the three-point line. The Bruins were 4-of-9 from beyond the arc and made all six attempts at the charity stripe.

The second half wasn’t much better offensively for Kansas Wesleyan as Bellevue continued their defensive dominance holding the host Coyotes to 18.2 percent (6-of-33) shooting as they finished the game at 22 percent (15-of-68). The rated Bruins out-rebounded the Coyotes, 45-32, the first time in three games.

Klaye Rowe, the 6’5 senior from Papillion, Nebraska, led the Bruins for the third straight game with 15 points on 7-of-14 from the field. Rowe added 7 rebounds and was 1-of-1 from three-point range. John Gray (Chicago Heights, IL) added 13 points in the victory as he was 4-of-7 shooting, made all 4 attempts from the free throw line and added 7 boards. Ben Thorn (Kearney, NE) scored 8 points off the bench as Chance Wallesen contributed 7 points and a career-high 9 rebounds. Bellevue outscored Kansas Wesleyan 20-16 in the paint as both teams were even with 24 bench points each.

As a team, Bellevue was 12-of-12 from the charity stripe, the first time a Bruin team has been perfect since their 6-of-6 performance against Peru State College on January 29, 2005. Bellevue’s defense held Kansas Wesleyan to 22.1 percent, the lowest percentage for an opponent since February 17, 2007 against Central Christian College. In that game, the Tigers were 9-of-39 for 23.1 percent as the Bruins set a school record for fewest points allowed, 32.

Kansas Wesleyan University falls to 4-8 as they have now lost three of their last five games. Mychal Henderson led the Coyotes with 14 points but only made 6 of 20 attempts and was held scoreless from three-point range, 0-for-7. Henderson was 2-of-2 at the free throw line and grabbed 5 rebounds. Romero Hood and Eric Hammond combined to shoot 8-of-26 scoring 8 points each as Trey Sims, Kansas Wesleyan’s leading scorer, did not play. The starters for the Coyotes were a combined 7-of-34 from the field scoring only 22 of the teams 46 total points.

Bellevue University, having won two of their last three games, will play their final non-conference game against Park University on Wednesday, January 9 with the tip-off scheduled for 7 p.m. The Bruins will then open their Midlands Collegiate Athletic Conference schedule on the road against Central Christian College on January 18 at 7:30 p.m. in McPherson, Kansas. Bellevue will return home after their match-up against a resurgent Oklahoma Wesleyan University (12-2) team on January 19 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma at 5 p.m.

Rowe and Gray lead Bruins past Chargers

December 29, 2007

SIOUX CITY, IA – Following two made free throws by Brett Ratcliff, Briar Cliff University took a one-point 71-70 lead over Bellevue with a minute and a half remaining. This was the first time all season that Bellevue has been in this position, down one with a minute left trying to keeping from losing two in a row.

After a Neil Rohe missed jumper for Briar Cliff, Bellevue's John Gray grabbed the rebound giving hope to the Bruins to pull out the victory. Coach Todd Eisner, in his eighth season, called a time-out with under 30 seconds remaining, and drew up what was to have been the winning play. “We called a time-out, and called ‘duck’ for Klaye,” said Eisner of the designed play.

One pass after the in-bounds play, Briar Cliff went into a zone defense which left the ball in the possession of senior John Gray with time winding down; as Klaye slide up the lane taking his defender with him, Gray drove base line and elevated draining the layup with 17 seconds on the clock and a 73-72 lead.

With the length of the court to go, Neil Rohe drove the lane for the Chargers and left his fade-away jumper short as John Gray grabbed the rebound with 6.3 seconds left in regulation. Gray, an 80 percent free-throw shooter, made both attempts to give the Bruins a 75-72 lead. Briar Cliff, despite having a good look at a three-point shot as time expired, missed off the back iron vaulting Bellevue the their 14th victory of the season.

Bellevue University improves to 14-2 on the season with the 75-72 victory. The Bruins shot 57 percent from the field (30-for-52) and 27 percent from the three-point line (5-for-18). In limited free-throw action for the second straight night, Bellevue was 10 of 17 compared to 19 of 24 for Briar Cliff.

The host Chargers shot 46 percent in the game (24-for-52) helped out by their 52 percent shooting performance in the second half. Briar Cliff was 5 of 14 from three-point range and pulled down 29 rebounds, one more than Bellevue. Both teams committed 21 fouls in the game, but the difference in the game could have been Bellevue reaching the bonus first in the second half.

Klaye Rowe led the Bruins with 24 points as he made the teams first four points of the game.  The senior from Papillion, Nebraska, was a solid 9 of 10 from the field, 1 of 1 from three-point range, and made a team-high 5 of 7 from the charity stripe. John Gray had his best performance in a month spanning three games, scoring 19 points on 8 of 12 shooting. Gray made is only two free throws at the end of the game and pulled down a team-high 7 rebounds.

Tyler Tomasek added 9 points and 4 rebounds in the victory as Chance Wallesen made a pair of long-balls for 6 points. Stanley Boateng, Phil McClain and Ben Thorn each contributed 4 points. Bellevue, as a team, had 28 rebounds, 13 assists and 8 steals in the game.

Briar Cliff University goes to 10-6 on the season getting a team-high 20 points from Neil Rohe. He was 7 of 17 from the field which included 2 of 2 from ‘downtown’ and 4 of 4 from the charity stripe. Rohe also had 7 rebounds in the loss with 3 assists and a steal. Dehonis Williams, plagued with fouls in the first half, scored all of his 10 points in the second half. Matt Geelan had 10 points respectively off the bench.

Bellevue opened the game taking a 10-5 lead following a Ben Thorn layup with 16 minutes left in the first half. Bellevue increased their lead to six (15-9) after Tyler Tomasek scored a 16-foot jumper. The Bruins enjoyed their largest margin of the game at 11 (28-17) at the 8:17 minute mark, but Briar Cliff closed out the half on a 21-10 run. Derek Mechaelsen tied things up at half making his free throw to complete the three point play as time expired.

Briar Cliff scored the first four points of the second half taking their first lead of the game since the opening minutes (42-38) but Bellevue answered back with four points of their own. Things would be this way for next 16 minutes until John Gray’s game winning drive for the victory. The lead never got any more than four for Briar Cliff, and by the end of the game, there were eight ties and seven lead changes.

No. 14 Bellevue loses to No. 2 Morningside

December 28, 2007

SIOUX CITY, IA – Bellevue University had their hands full this weekend in the first game of the BCU Holiday Inn-Downtown Classic with a match-up against No. 2 Morningside College. The Bruins, despite opening the game with an eight-point, 10-2 lead, saw it fade away by the break falling behind by six, 34-28.

In the second half, Bellevue was able to tie the game at 52-52, but Morningside, playing in their backyard, went on a 9-2 run to seal the victory. The Bruins weren’t able to close the gap to any closer than four down the stretch dropping their second game of the season.

Bellevue University, 13-2, struggled from the floor making only 37 percent of their shots despite shooting over 50 percent entering the contest. The Bruins shot 24 three-pointers, the most all season, making 29 percent by the games end. Bellevue was 14 of 20 from the free throw line and grabbed 37 rebounds in the loss.

Morningside College, 14-0, didn’t shoot much better at 43 percent for the game (22-for-51), but did take 12 more free throw attempts (24-for-34) as they only committed 15 fouls to Bellevue’s 28. The highly rated Mustangs had 40 boards, 11 offensive, with 4 steals and 5 assists.

Klaye Rowe led Bellevue in scoring with 18 points on 8 of 16 from the floor while Stanley Boateng had a season-high 11 points making 4 of 6 from the charity stripe. Tyler Tomasek added 9 points as John Gray and Ben Thorn contributed 7 points each. Rowe led the team with 7 rebounds getting 6 from Boateng. The Bruins committed a season-low eight turnovers in the loss but were eight below their season average for assists with seven.

Morningside College had three players in double-digits with Jack Rother leading the charge scoring 14 points on 5 of 13 from the floor. Rother added 5 rebounds and made 3 of 4 from the charity stripe. Seth Atkins had 11 points respectively and made only 3 of 7 from the free throw line, normally an 80 percent free throw shooter. Atkins added a team-high 6 rebounds as Shane Michael had 10 points connecting on 2 of 3 from beyond three-point range.

Bellevue was out-rebounded for only the third time this season (37-40) shooting a season worst 37 percent from the floor (23-for-62). The Mustangs bench out-scored Bellevue’s 30-20 but didn’t shoot much better, as a team, from three-point range at 29 percent.

No. 14 Bruins keep 32-game home winning streak alive

December 18, 2007

BELLEVUE, NE – The No. 14 Bellevue University Bruin basketball team increased their home-winning streak to 32 games with a 78-69 victory over Midland Lutheran College on Tuesday night at the Gordon Lozier Athletic Center. Bellevue used a 18-3 run midway through the first half to erase an eight-point 8-16 deficit taking a 26-19 lead at the 6:37 mark.

Following a Midland Lutheran field goal by Zac Gradoville, the visiting Warriors sported a 4-0 lead extending that margin to their largest of the game, at eight (16-8), with fifteen minutes left. Bellevue brought in three bench players and made a run taking the lead to never look back with eight minutes to play. After a John Gray three point basket giving Bellevue their first lead (20-19), the run vaulted the Bruins to their 13th victory of the season.

Bellevue University didn’t have their best defensive performance allowing Midland Lutheran College to shoot 44 percent by halftime (26-of-54) including 43 percent from three-point range (3-of-7). The Warriors only trailed Bellevue by nine at half despite attempting only four three throws.

The Bruins, 13-1 overall, shot better in the second half at 53 percent to finish the game making 23-of-49 for 47 percent and the victory. Bellevue attempted 18 three-pointers, their second highest output this season, 14 of which were taken the first half alone. As a team, they out-rebounded their opponents 43-25 with 15 offensive boards.

Bellevue’s Tyler Tomasek, the junior from Ralston, Nebraska, had a solid night recording a double-double with 16 points and 10 rebounds. Tyler was 5 of 9 from the field making 6 of 8 from the charity stripe. Cy Carlson contributed 12 points off the bench connecting on 4 of 8 from three-point range as Chance Wallesen and John Gray added 11 and 10 points respectively. Klaye Rowe had a game-high 12 rebounds adding eight points in the victory. Stanley Boateng had seven assists.

Midland Lutheran College (3-10) got a game-high 21 points from Luke Simons making 6 of 16 from the floor and 2 of 5 from behind the arc. Simons added six rebounds and three assist in the loss. Zac Gradoville contributed 19 points on 7 of 9 shooting as Evan Lamprecht was a perfect 5 of 5 from the field for 11 points grabbing six rebounds. The Warriors shot 48 percent in the game (26-of-54) and 43 percent from behind the three-point line (6-of-14).

Next: v. Morningside College (12/28); 3 p.m.

December 5, 2007

Bruins pull out close victory for win No. 12

PARKVILLE, MO – Klaye Rowe scored four of Bellevue’s first seven points giving the Bruins a 7-2 advantage early against Park University on Wednesday night at the Breckon Sport Complex. Klaye’s early points lead to a stellar night for the senior as Bellevue defeated Park 62-58 for the seventh consecutive meeting between the two teams.

Midway through the first half, the Bruins posted their largest lead of the game, 20-8, following a three-point play by Klaye Rowe. Over the final ten minutes, Park battled their way back closing the gap at 36-30 by intermission.

In the second half, Park appeared to be a different team, as Bellevue built the lead to five (40-35), the host Pirates went on a 6-0 run taking their first lead of the game.

Nick Burton gave Park the 41-40 lead, but it was short lived as Klaye Rowe put Bellevue back into the lead, 43-40, after making this second three-point basket of the year.

Following another 4-0 run by Park University and a Burton layup the score was 47-43, but Tyler Tomasek connected on a John Gray miss to get back to within two (47-45). The Pirates then saw their largest lead of the game at six points, 51-45, at the 7:30 mark.

Tyler Tomasek scored on a jumper to start a Bruin rally that consisted of two straight three-point baskets by Cy Carlson, the senior from Aurora, Nebraska. That capped off an 8-0 run by the No. 17 rated Bruins controlling a two-point margin, 53-51, at the 5:33 mark.

In the final five minutes, both teams exchanged leads but senior, John Gray, made 2 of 4 free throws down the stretch to seal the victory holding Park scoreless over the final 1:04.

Bellevue University (12-1) shot a smoking 57 percent in the first half (15 of 26) brought in part by their 16 points scored in the paint. In the second half, it was a different story as they struggled to make only 32 percent (10 of 31).

Klaye Rowe, the senior from Papillion, Nebraska, picked up his fourth double-double this season with 26 points and a career-high 18 rebounds, 10 offensively. Klaye was 12 of 24 from the floor and 1 of 3 from the free throw line as both teams were limited at the foul line.

Tyler Tomasek added 8 points and 10 rebounds with a game-high 5 steals playing 31 minutes. Cy Carlson contributed 12 points off the bench on 4 of 7 from behind the three-point line. Bellevue out-rebounded Park, 38-34, and pulled down two more offensive rebounds, 11-9, as the Bruins picked up 12 team steals.

Park University, who dropped out of the national rankings on Wednesday afternoon, fell to 7-6 on the season as they shot 42 percent in the loss. The Pirates, a team that shoots often from outside, was only 4 of 18 from beyond the arc as they were 6 of 9 from the free throw line.

The Pirates had a pair of double-doubles from Jon Meriweather and Nick Burton. Meriweather led the team with 18 points on 8 of 12 from the field grabbing 11 boards. Burton was 6 of 13 for 14 points with a team-high 12 rebounds. Marcus Seidel shot 3 of 11 from the field which included 2 of 8 from three-point range. Seidel added 8 points as Nathan Duncan had 7 points off the bench.

Bellevue scored 17 points off turnovers in the win compared to 9 points for Park as the Bruins’ bench out-scored their opponents 18-11 powered behind Carlson’s 12 from downtown.

December 1, 2007

Gray scores 19 points in second straight win

POINT LOOKOUT, MO – Bellevue University used a strong shooting first half to defeat NAIA DI Missouri Baptist University 77-64 on Saturday night at the CAM JAM hosted by College of the Ozarks. Bellevue held Missouri Baptist to 33 percent shooting in the first half while connecting on 15 of 29 (51%) themselves to pick up win No. 11 on the year.

Bellevue finished the contest making 48 percent (26 of 54) of their shots and 31 percent from behind the three-point line (6 of 19). Offensively, the Bruins recording 18 assists and 4 steals in the victory. On the boards, Bellevue out-rebounded their opponents for a second straight game, 38 to 24, 11 of which were on the offensive end.

John Gray led the Bruins with a game-high 19 points on 6 of 11 shooting and a perfect 6 of 6 from the charity stripe. Tyler Tomasek tied his career-high, from the previous night, with 17 points on 8 of 10 while grabbing 8 boards.

Klaye Rowe added another double-digit night scoring 14 points with 8 rebounds. Cy Carlson contributed from the bench pouring in 9 points, all from behind the arc (3 of 7). Carlos Bravo and Matt Imig added 6 and 5 points respectively for Bellevue.

Missouri Baptist University (2-7) shot better in the second half (15 of 28) to finish at 44 percent but committed a total of 14 turnovers and 21 fouls in the loss. Brandon Bishop scored 18 points (5 of 11) making 5 of 7 at the free throw line while Jason Fry and Jake Hackerson added 10 points each.

Missouri Baptist connected on 8 of 22 from behind the three-point line making 10 of 14 as a team from the free throw line. The Spartans out-scored the Bruins in the second half 42-38 but it wasn’t enough as they drop their seventh loss of the year.

 

November 30, 2007

Rowe records double-double; Tomasek scores career-high

POINT LOOKOUT, MO – Bellevue University won their 10^th victory of the season on Friday night, at the CAM JAM hosted by College of the Ozarks, with a 61-53 victory over William Jewell College.  The Bruins shot 52 percent in the first half and finished at 53 percent (25 of 47) taking the eight-point victory.

With the Bruins holding a slim 26-24 halftime lead, Bellevue opened the second half on a 12-5 run to extend the lead to 36-29. Klaye Rowe scored with six minutes remaining to give the Bruins a 10 point lead then sealed the victory following a John Gray field goal with two minute left.

Down the stretch, the Cardinals were able to cut into Bellevue’s six-point lead (58-52) as Matt Imig made 1 of 2 free throws with 20 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

Bellevue, 10-1 on the season, got a double-double from Klaye Rowe scoring a game-high 22 points and 10 rebounds. Klaye recorded his third double-double of the season after Friday night connecting on 9 of 15 from the field grabbing 3 offensive boards.

John Gray added 10 points as Tyler Tomasek posted a career-high 17 points on 8 of 12 from the field with 6 rebounds. Bellevue out-rebounded William Jewell, 34-27, and forced 23 Cardinal turnovers with 16 steals.

William Jewell College goes to 4-3 after the loss getting a team-high 21 points from Larry Mandacina on 8 of 13 from the floor, 3 of 7 from three-point range. Kayron Parrish added 8 points as Kyle Fisher struggled to make only 2 of 10 for 4 points. Caleb Harlen contributed 6 points off the bench.

The Cardinals shot 37 percent in the game (22 of 58) and only 18 percent from behind the arc making 3 of 16 attempts. William Jewell had 9 assists to 14 of Bellevue.

 

November 24, 2007

Bellevue loses for first time this season

SIOUX CENTER, IA – Bellevue University suffered their first loss of the season against host Dordt College on Saturday evening 57-76. The Bruins shot under 40 percent in the contest (19 of 48) losing by their largest margin in recent years.

Bellevue, got out to a slow start as Dordt went on a 9-0 run to open the game then extended their lead to 12 points (18-6) with 12 minutes left. Bellevue then answered back by outscoring the Defenders 9-0 to close the gap at 15-18 midway through the first half.

Dordt College retaliated with a small run extending the lead and finished the half on a 20-9 run to shoot 46 percent (14 of 30) by intermission. Bellevue was 1 of 4 from behind the arc shooting 78 percent in the first half (7 of 9) at the free throw line.

The host Defenders opened the second half the same way they started the game extending the margin to 17 points just three minutes in. John Gray jump started Bellevue by converting a three-point play as Bellevue outscored Dordt by 13 over the next eight minutes to pull within six at 47-53.

Dordt beat Bellevue 23-10 down the stretch to hand the Bruins their first loss of the season. Bellevue shot 39 percent for the game, 30 percent from behind the arc but made 16 of 20 from the charity stripe.

Bellevue University, 9-1, was led by John Gray and Klaye Rowe each scoring 13 points in the contest. They combined to shoot 9 of 21 with 6 rebounds. Tyler Tomasek added 11 points on 4 of 8 from the field and 3 of 4 from the charity stripe. The Bruins struggled with possession as they were outrebounded 21-43 committing 18 turnovers.

Dordt College, 6-3, got a career game from Logan Kingma who recorded a double-double by scoring 30 points on 10 of 17 from the field and grabbing 13 rebounds. Kingma added a perfect 7 of 7 from the free throw line. Scott Van Zanten was 3 of 10 adding 9 points and 8 rebounds while three other players scored six points each for Dordt.

 November 23, 2007

John Gray scores 24 points in victory

SIOUX CENTER, IA – The No. 17 rated Bellevue University Bruins out-scored the No. 12 rated University of Sioux Falls Cougars 13-7 in the overtime frame to improve their overall record to 9-0 taking the 83-77 victory at the Dordt Classic on Friday evening.

The Bruins, 9-0, found themselves down nine points after a Matt Malloy jumper to put the Cougars up, by their largest margin, with nine minutes remaining. Bellevue battled back to close out regulation on a 24-15 run.

John Gray scored to put Bellevue up 69-68 with a minute left but a foul by Stanley Boateng sent Malloy to the line making both to put Sioux Falls up by one (70-69).

With time winding down, Klaye Rowe was fouled with four seconds left and made one of two at the charity stripe forcing the overtime session.

In overtime, the Bruins shot 50 from the field and made 9 of 10 free throws down the stretch to win their ninth straight game.

John Gray tied his second best scoring output at Bellevue for a game-high 24 points on 10 of 17 from the floor and 3 of 4 from the free throw line grabbing 5 rebounds. Klaye Rowe had 17 points, his sixth straight double-digit game, and eighth of the season. Rowe grabbed a team-high 6 rebounds playing 44 minutes in the contest.

Bellevue shot 55 percent for the game (32 of 58) and connected on 5 of 11 from behind the arc as Chance Wallesen, again, lead the charge making 4 of 6 for 16 points. After a four game layoff, Tyler Tomasek added a spark to the starting lineup scoring 11 points.

The University of Sioux Falls, 2-5 on the season, shot 47 percent for the game (25 of 53) and 75 percent from the charity stripe (21 of 28) led by Matt Malloy with a team-high 19 points. Malloy was 13 of 16 from the free throw line and grabbed 4 boards. Jess Huser was 6 of 13 from the field, 5 of 9 from behind the arc, contributing 18 points.

Tut Yual added double-digit scoring for the Cougars with 13 but committed 8 of the teams 23 turnovers in the loss. Sioux Falls got a game-high 7 rebounds from Kyle Johnson while shooting 42 percent from three-point range (6 of 14).

November 20, 2007

No. 17 Bruins escape Coyotes for eighth victory

BELLEVUE, NE – Chance Wallesen had an open look in transition with less than two minutes left and drained his three-point basket to put the Bruins back on top 53-52. The Bruins, needing a defensive stop, got one from John Gray who blocked Trey Sims’ layup.

After a quick foul on the missed shot, Klaye Rowe went to the line missing the free throw, only to have it rebounded by Hannibal Cofield putting it back to give Bellevue a three-point, 55-52, lead with 20 seconds left in regulation.

Following a Kansas Wesleyan turnover, Stanley Boateng made two free throws to seal Bellevue’s 59-55 victory. Bellevue improves to 8-0 on the season increasing their home winning-streak to 30 games as they will be on the road for their next five games.

Bellevue University, 8-0 on the season, shot 43 percent by the end of the game getting a team-high 15 points from John Gray on 5 of 12 from the floor. Klaye Rowe recorded his second double-double of the season with 14 points and 13 rebounds as Jerrod Tucker picked up double-digit points with 13. Chance Wallesen scored 8 points on 2 of 7 from behind the arc. The Bruins out-rebounded their opponents 44-27 recording 17 assists but committed 19 turnovers.

Kansas Wesleyan University has played a tough schedule as they fall to 2-4 on the season. Romero Hood scored a game-high 18 points on 8 of 9 from the field while Mychal Henderson put in 15 points, 9 of which were from behind the arc. DaRon Stafford contributed 10 points in the loss while the team’s leading scorer, Trey Simms, didn’t score a single point battle foul trouble all game. The Coyotes shot 37 percent from the field and 35 percent from three-point range committing 16 turnovers.

Next: v. University of Sioux Falls; 6 p.m. (11/23)

November 17, 2007

November 14, 2007

Klaye Rowe has second straight 20-point game; scores 29 in win

BELLEVUE, NE – Bellevue University, the No. 17 rated team in NAIA DII, stayed undefeated with an 81-70 victory over Dana College at th