From SCU Sports Info.
Matthew Stephens, Sports Information Director
WINONA LAKE, Ind. — Southwestern Christian University picked up a 74-66 victory over Bluefield (Va.) in its opening game in the NCCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships Wednesday at the Manahan Orthopedic Capital Center.
The Eagles (18-14) advanced to the semifinals where they will face the No. 6 seed Trinity International (Ill.) at 6 p.m. CDT Thursday.
Senior James Still went 11-for-13 from the field and led second-seeded SCU with 27 points, eight rebounds and three blocks. The 6-foot-10 center was perfect from the floor until the 1:37 mark of the second half.
Four Eagles, including Still, scored in double figures on the afternoon. Marvin White finished with 14 points, five rebounds and three assists. White hit four 3-pointers on the afternoon.
Gabi Laurent added 13 points, seven rebounds and three assists. Mikel Parish provided 13 points, four rebounds and three steals.
The Eagles outscored the Rams 38-22 in the paint and held Bluefield to 34 percent shooting from the field and 25 percent from 3-point range.
SCU ran off a 12-3 run late in the first half to take a 31-22 advantage. Still fueled the run with eight points.
Bluefield outscored SCU 7-2 to close the half and cut the Eagles’ lead to 33-29 at the break.
Parish hit from 3-point range followed by a bucket from Still to stretch the SCU lead back to nine points to begin the second frame.
The two teams traded baskets for much of the second half. The Eagles built their biggest lead of the game at 66-54 with 6:03 to go after a 3-pointer from White and a pair of free throws from Still.
Bluefield’s Cordaris Townes converted a pair of free throws to make the score 70-66 in favor of SCU with 1:23 to go.
The Eagles responded with basket from Laurent and a pair of free throws from Parish and held on for the eight-point victory.
SCU will take on Trinity International in the semifinals. The Trojans (20-12) knocked off the No. 3 seed Ohio Christian 89-79 in the first game of the day.