March 9, 2006

Defending champion Walsh University (Ohio) defeated Tennessee Wesleyan College 65-50 in the first round of the 15th Annual NAIA Division II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2006 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

Walsh, the third seed, was led by junior forward Derek Chappell who scored 20 points on 8-12 shooting. Junior guard Jason Hicks netted 15 points and dished out three assists. The Cavaliers shot 40% from the field but limited the Bulldogs to just 34% shooting from the field. Walsh dominated the battle of the boards, outrebounding Tennessee Wesleyan 46-30. Walsh, making their sixth national tournament appearance, improves to 26-6 on the season. They are the second team from the American Mideast Conference to reach the second round, joining Mount Vernon Nazarene.

Tennessee Wesleyan was led in scoring by sophomore guard Zach Gulmire who scored 16 points. Freshman Wes Butler was the only other Bulldog player in double figures with 10. Tennessee Wesleyan struggled from the field, making just 19 of 56 field goals and 2 of 14 three point attempts. The Appalachian Athletic Conference regular season runner-up was making their third appearance in the national tournament. They finish the season with a 20-12 overall record.

Walsh advances to the second round where they will play #14 Oregon Tech, who defeated Northwestern College 92-83, at 1:45 pm on Friday, March 10. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14.

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