2004 SCAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
SEMIFINALS

#6 OGLETHORPE UNIVERSITY 74,
#2 ROSE-HULMAN INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY 67

(Game Box)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Oglethorpe's unlikely run through the 2004 SCAC Men's Basketball Tournament continued as the sixth-seeded Petrels knocked off the second-seed Rose-Hulman 74-67 Saturday afternoon in the first men's semifinal game at Rhodes College.

Oglethorpe (12-15) is now just one win away from returning to the NCAA Men's Division III Tournament for the first time since the 1994-95 season. The Petrels are the highest seed to reach the tournament final since the league reinstated a postseason tournament in 2002-03.

The Petrels led by as much as 13 late in the second half but had to withstand a furious Rose-Hulman comeback. From the 5:32 mark when Josh Burr's extended Oglethorpe's lead to 13 at 63-50, Rose-Hulman outscored the Petrels 15-3 and had the lead down to one at 66-65 after a three-pointer by Evan Ballinger at 1:54.

However, Oglethorpe would not relenquish the lead and the Petrels hit 6 of 6 free throws in the game's final 20 seconds to secure the 74-67 decision. In fact, the free-throw line was an ally for Oglethorpe all day as the Petrels' hit on 25 of 26 attempts.

For the second consecutive day, the combination of Josh Burr (pictured left) and Eric Dickinson led the way for Oglethorpe. Burr had a game-high 25 points and hit 5 of 8 three-point field goals and Dickinson followed with 22, including a perfect 3 of 3 day from long range. Russ Churchwell followed with 11 points and nine rebounds.

Rose-Hulman (19-8) was led by Ballinger, who finished with a team-high 19 points. Kareem Lee, despite missing time with a sprained ankle, had a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Jason Ludwig chipped in with 13 points.