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KANSAS CITY, Missouri -- Wendell Pierre scored the game-winning basket with four seconds remaining to give No. 2-seeded Talladega (Ala.) a 64-62 win over No. 7-seeded Pikeville (Ky.), Saturday afternoon in the quarterfinal round of the 2015 Buffalo Funds-NAIA Division I Men's Basketball National Championship in Municipal Auditorium. The Tornadoes will face No. 6-seeded Dalton State (Ga.), an 80-76 overtime winner over Cal State San Marcos, on Monday, March 23 at 6:00 p.m.
"Our team was well aware coming into this matchup against a premier team in Pikeville the game was going to come down to who had the most toughness, heart and desire to advance," said Talladega Head Coach Matt Cross. "I think our guys demonstrated those qualities for 40 minutes today.
"We are excited about punching our ticket to the Fab Four and I know these young men are still hungry and believe they can take their games to an even higher level the next time we step on the floor in Municipal."
Talladega (32-4) scored the final seven points of the game to earn the first Fab Four berth in the program's history after trailing 62-57 with 1:55 remaining. Courtney Mack started the finishing stretch with a bucket in the paint at the 1:37 mark, then hit a three-pointer on the right wing with 44 seconds to play.
Kenny Manigault missed a three-pointer on the next possession for Pikeville, setting up Pierre for the game-winning shot. Manigault also got the last shot attempt for the Bears, but was unable to convert a game-tying attempt.
After trailing 35-31 at the half, Talladega opened the second half with a 14-2 run inside the first five minutes for its biggest lead of the game, 45-37. Manigault scored the first points of the second half before Pierre got the Tornadoes going with a bucket inside, and Brandon Peters finished off the opening run with a three-pointer.
Pikeville provided an immediate response, putting together a 13-2 spurt over the next 4:13 to regain the lead, 50-47. Both teams held the lead over the next eight minutes with Colt Chapman scoring the final point for the Bears, converting the second of two free throws.
Both teams shot 40 percent from the field and converted 24 field goals, with Pikeville recording one more shot attempt. The Tornadoes held a 7-5 edge in three-point connections and both teams hit nine free throws. Pikeville held a 43-34 rebounding advantage, but committed 10 turnovers to just six for Talladega.
"We had a great year and I am proud of these kids," said Cal State San Marcos head coach Jim Saia. "We had a phenomenal experience."
Shondel Stewart led all scorers with 22 points to go along with six rebounds and three assists for Talledega. Peters finished with 13 points and four rebounds, while Pierre tallied nine points, four rebounds and four assists.
Manigault posted 20 points and seven rebounds for Pikeville, while K.K. Simmons added 19 points and Michael Eneh added a game-high 11 rebounds for the Bears.
Pikeville finished its season with a record of 28-6.
Game Notes:
Talladega: Playing in first-ever quarterfinal in their third overall trip… Becomes the third No. 2 seed in the last four years to advance to the semifinal round… Tied a season-low with six turnovers, one game removed from a 20-turnover contest in the championship second round win Friday… Talladega has won 27 of their last 28 games, including a streak of six-straight… Notched its 32nd season victory, which is the most of any of the qualifiers still alive… With 22 points, Shondel Stewart has now reached at least 20 points in 14 of his 23 games.
Pikeville: Falls to 2-1 in the quarterfinal round… Now stands 11-8 all-time in nine postseason trips… Gives up 64 points in a loss – it is the lowest amount
of points allowed in a loss since a 58-57 setback to Campbellsville (Ky.) on Feb. 9, 2012… Connected on just nine free throws (19 attempts), which marks the fewest amount since six made on Jan. 17… Michael Eneh, who entered the game with 3.4 rebounds per game, grabbed 11 boards, which were two off a season-high… The Bears entered the game leading the NAIA in turnover margin and finished minus-four in that category.
Semifinals
March 23 | Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, Mo.
| Game 1 (6:00 p.m. CT) | No. 6 Dalton State (Ga.) (30-4) vs. No. 2 Talladega (Ala.) (32-4) |
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| Game 2 (8:00 p.m. CT) | No. 1 Hope International (Calif.) (31-2) vs. Westmont (Calif.) (24-10) |
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COURTESY TALLADEGA COLLEGE SPORTS INFORMATION
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