Point Park moves on to NAIA national tourney 2nd Round with win over Texas College

HENDERSON, Tenn. -- No. 8 seed Point Park University men's basketball posted an 84-71 victory over No. 9 seed Texas College in the NAIA National Championship First Round on Friday evening from the Henderson, Tenn., bracket. The Pioneers (30-2) set a school record for victories in a season and earned their first NAIA national tournament win since 2000-01. 

Jo Valrie put up 27 points and 14 rebounds and Jalen Stamps added 17 points and eight assists to lead the way. Four players were in double digits with Nathaniel Van hitting for 13 points and three treys. 

Point Park advances to play No. 1 seed Freed-Hardemen (27-4) in the second round on Saturday, March 16 at 4:00 p.m. CT (5:00 p.m. ET). Freed-Hardeman is the host of the Henderson bracket and defeated No. 16 seed Loyola-New Orleans (14-18) by a score of 79-56 in Friday's other game. 

The winner of the Henderson bracket moves on to the NAIA National Championship final site with 16 teams playing it out March 21-26 in Kansas City, Mo.

Point Park built a lead as high as 18 points late in the first half versus Texas College (22-9). That was on a 3-pointer by Van for a 45-27 lead at the 2:02 mark. Texas College did make a run to close out the half, but the Pioneers were still up 46-34 at the break. 

Point Park kept the lead the rest of the way to march on in the bracket. The Pioneers led for 32 minutes and 55 seconds of the game, although it was not the best start for them.

The Pioneers were down 8-2 after 3:03. But they turned things around for a 19-17 lead on a trey by Stamps midway through the first half and never trailed again. 

The lead kept growing with the Pioneers hitting outside shots and controlling the glass. Point Park won the rebounding, 45-31, for the game and was leading the glass, 21-12, at the half. 

Point Park shot 58 percent the first half and 48 percent for the game. The Pioneers made eight treys the first half and 11 overall. That was versus a Texas College team that ranks third in the country in field-goal defense (.383) and 12th in scoring defense (65.7 ppg).

Valrie had 17 points by halftime scoring in a variety of ways. He banged three treys the first 20 minutes and was 8 for 12 shooting the first half. 

Stowe enjoyed a perfect shooting night as his 14 points came on 3 for 3 from the floor, 2 for 2 from the arc and 6 for 6 at the foul line. 

Jags Jhawar and Nazareth Fisher did the work down low combining for 10 points and 17 rebounds. The both had five points while Jhawar pulled in seven boards and Fisher 10 off the bench. 

As things turned to the second half, Valrie scored another 10 points to continue his strong night. Stamps put up 11 points and six assists in the second half alone. Van added two more treys before the night was through and ended up 5 for 10 from the floor. Van and Valrie both nailed three treys. 

Point Park surpassed the 2006-07 team for most wins in program history. The Pioneers were 29-2 that year, also the last time they went to the national tournament. Point Park will be looking for its first trip to the NAIA Sweet 16 since 2000-01. The only other time the Pioneers have been that far was a trip to the NAIA Final Four in 1996-97. 

Tune in to the Point Park Sports Network for an internet radio broadcast of Point Park vs. Freed-Hardeman on Saturday at 4 p.m. CT. The game will also have a live video stream from host FHU for $10. Live stats will also be available at PointParkSports.com.