February 24, 2007

Chicago Falls at Washington in UAA Title Clash

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- In the battle for the University Athletic Association men's basketball championship, Washington (Mo.) University's Tyler Nading scored 24 points to lead the 12th-ranked Bears to a 79-74 win over the 11th-ranked University of Chicago on Saturday.

Chicago and Washington end the regular season as the UAA co-champions, but the Bears earned the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III tournament based on the head-to-head tiebreaker. Washington defeated the Maroons 70-59 in Chicago on January 6.

Ranked #1 in the Midwest Region entering the game, Chicago remains in strong contention for an at-large bid to the NCAA Division III tournament. The NCAA is scheduled to announce the complete bracket on Monday morning.

Chicago (20-5 overall, 11-3 UAA) led for the game's first 11:29 until Washington (20-4, 11-3) evened the score at 20-20 on a layup by Troy Ruths. Another basket by Ruths -- who finished with 19 points and nine rebounds -- 20 seconds later gave the Bears a lead they would not relinquish.

Leading 37-36 at the half, Washington outscored the Maroons 12-3 during the first 3:59 of the second stanza to take its first double-digit lead, 49-39.

Senior Brandon Woodhead's (Lincoln, Neb./ East) layup at the 12:02 mark trimmed the Bears' lead to six points, 59-53, but Nading then scored the game's next six points as Washington increased its advantage to 65-53 with 10:37 to go.

Washington held its last double-digit edge when Nading connected on one of two free throw attempts at the 4:41 mark.

A three-pointer by junior Nate Hainje (Brownsburg, Ind./ Brownsburg) got the Maroons to within four points, 74-70, with 1:56 left, but Nading answered with a three-pointer 22 seconds later to help seal the victory.

Hainje paced the Maroons with 20 points, nine rebounds, and four assists, while Woodhead and senior Jason Vismantas (Highland Park, Ill./ Highland Park) each added 13 points. Senior Drew Adams (Elida, Ohio/ Elida) chipped in 11 points.

Washington's Sean Wallis handed out a school record 16 assists. Aaron Thompson and Nick Nikitas finished with 13 and 12 points, respectively.

Washington shot 48% from the floor and 38% from three-point range to Chicago's 39% and 30%. The Maroons held a slim 36-34 edge on the glass.

Box Score