Virginia Union denied second straight
Division II Basketball Championship
March 25, 2006
Springfield, Mass. – David Zellman led five players
in double figures with a game high 26 points leading Winona
State University (Minn.) to it’s first NCAA Division
II men’s basketball championship with a 73-61 victory
over defending champion Virginia Union University before 4,093
at the MassMutual Center this afternoon.
John Smith was named tournament most outstanding player, adding
a double double of 10 points and 13 rebounds as the Warriors
(32-4) finished the season winning their final 22 games.
"We played great and were fortunate to come out with
a win," beamed winning Head Coach Mike Leaf. "We
took control early and were able to finish. I am just so proud
of this team."
Jonte Flowers notched 15 points for Winona State, while Quincy
Henderson added 12 and Zach Malvik hit for 10.
"Having four to five guys who can score in double figures
has been a key all year," said Leaf. "It’s
been a characteristic of this team all year and it was again
today."
Brad Byerson was the only Panther to reach double figures,
finishing with 22 points. Virginia Union (30-4) fell just short
in bidding to become just the fourth team in Division II history
to win back-to-back titles.
Winona State never trailed in the contest, breaking out to
a 13-4 lead over the first 3:50 of the game. Virginia Union
answered with three straight scores to cut the lead to 13-10
with 14:37 left in the half, but the Warrior defense held the
Panthers to just three points over the next 6:36 and built
the lead to 26-13 after a three-pointer from Zellman with 8:01
to go.
The Warriors shot 46-percent in the first half including 6-for-14
from the three point arc to lead by as many as 18 before a
late Virginia Union run cut the lead to 38-29 at the break
Virginia Union closed to within five at 54-49 on a layup by
Duan Crockett with 8:32 to play, but Winona answered with a
12-4 run over the next 3:47 ending with another Zellman three-pointer
for a 64-51 lead with 4:45 left.
The Panthers again worked the lead back down to seven with
2:11 to play after two free throws from Byerson, but Zellman
answered with an enormous three pointer from the right corner
with 1:29 left, sealing the victory.
"I actually had a smile on my face as the ball went in," said
Leaf. "It was such a key shot. The defender was flying
towards him and he just stayed with the target."
Smith was a defensive force, pulling down 11 defensive rebounds
as Winona State finished with a 39-32 advantage on the boards. "I
just went out and did the same thing I do every game," noted
Smith. "I just had to make sure my nerves didn’t
get in the way. I came from a small high school so his was
a little nerve-wracking for me. We’re proud of our accomplishment.
The whole team wanted to prove that we could do anything."
Virginia Union Head Coach Dave Robins was gracious in defeat. "We’re
disappointed we did not win, but the best team won," said
Robins. "We didn’t have our ‘A’ game,
which sometimes happens, but 30-4 is a great year. We’re
not embarrassed to be second best in the country."
Smith and Zellman represented Winona State on the Elite Eight
All Tournament Team. They were joined by Byerson and Darius
Hargrove from Virginia Union along with Tony Binetti of Seattle
Pacific University.
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