Concordia Reaches Quarterfinals

Defending champion Irvine Concordia made its free throws down the stretch to hold off unseeded John Brown University of Arkansas, 70-65, in the second round of the NAIA Division I men’s basketball tournament Friday in Kansas City, Mo.

With John Brown leading, 39-30, early in the second half, the Eagles (31-4) went on a 12-0 run, capped by two free throws by senior guard Jeremy Groth with 13:35 left.

Forward Tanner Luster made two free throws with 3:25 left to give the Eagles the lead for good at 64-63. He finished with a game-high 23 points.

Center Nick VanderLaan posted a double-double for Concordia with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Abdiel Mendieta led John Brown (20-11) with 22 points.

Sixth-seeded Concordia advanced to today’s quarterfinals against third-seeded Lindsey Wilson, Ky. (33-3), which beat Southern of New Orleans, 66-55.

University of Mobile 76, Azusa Pacific 75 -- Sophomore guard Chris Bolden made two free throws with 20 seconds left to give the 15th-seeded Rams (28-9) the upset over the second-seeded Cougars, whose 19-game winning streak came to an end.

Azusa Pacific (32-5) had a chance to win, but guard Ryan Dillon missed a three-point shot with three seconds left.

Gabriel Feagin’s layup with 1:02 left gave Mobile a 74-72 lead. Dillon made a three-point basket 12 seconds later, giving the Cougars the lead. Bolden was fouled as he attempted a short jumper on the baseline and made the decisive free throws.