The IUP Crimson Hawks are headed to the NCAA Division-II elite eight, thanks to a 77-75 victory over regional powerhouse West Liberty on Tuesday night. The Crimson Hawks had to overcome a strong Hilltoppers squad that was playing at home, because West Liberty was the host the host school for the Atlantic Regional.
Shawn Dyer was named the tournament MVP, and deservedly so, as the former Hilltoppers guard scored 23 points against his former team, shooting 7-of-16 from the field, 3-of-8 beyond the three-point arc, and 6-for-6 at the free throw line.
After a back-and-forth start to the game, the Hilltoppers came alive in the middle of the first half, taking leads of 28-17 and 30-21. Dyer brought the Crimson Hawks back after the 7:00 media timeout, making a pair of free throws, and then hitting a three with 6:18 remaining in the half to draw IUP to within one.
The defenses tightened up in the second half, and IUP looked to be in control when a Dyer three-pointer with 3:38 left gave them a 72-66 advantage. West Liberty answered right back with a three-pointer of their own from C.J. Hester.
The Hilltoppers then got a stop on defense and Seger Bonifant hit a three to tie the game at 72 with 2:41 remaining in the second half. Bonifant and IUP’s Devon Cottrell traded jumpers. Crimson Hawks guard Barndon Norfleet got a steal, and after an IUP timeout with 44 seconds left, it was Norfleet who made a dagger of a three-pointer with eight seconds left to give Crimson Hawks their final lead.
The Crimson Hawks will now face the top seed from the West Regional, the Azusa Pacific Cougars, next Wednesday in Evansville, Indiana.
Photo credit: IUP Athletics
