2005 SCAC MEN'S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT
QUARTERFINAL ROUND

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The top-seeded Southwestern University men fended off a tough challenge from eighth-seeded DePauw University and advanced with Friday night's 70-57 victory in the 2005 Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Tournament.

DePauw led as late as 13:42 of the second half at 37-35, but a three-pointer by Reid Sakel gave the Pirates' a 38-37 lead and a lead they would not relinquish. The Tigers had two regular season wins against the first-place Pirates this season, but couldn't find the charm the third time.

Southwestern outscored DePauw 22-10 over the next 10 minutes to salt the game away.

For DePauw, it was a tale of two halves. The Tigers shot 46.2% in the first, but struggled to 29.2% in the second.

Southwestern out-rebounded DePauw 35-25 for the game, and shot a blistering 54.2% (13-of-24) in the second half to take control of the contest. In a very physical contest, the Pirates went to the line 28 times and hit on 19, while DePauw finished 10-of-15 from the charity stripe.

The Pirates (20-6) were led by Robert Cates with 17 points and three blocks and Jamonn Little finished with 14 points. Brandon Daniels came off the bench for Southwestern to score 12 points.

Southwestern advances to tomorrow's semifinal and will play the winner of Oglethorpe and Sewanee at 7 p.m. at Rhodes College.

DePauw, which finished its season with a 12-13 mark, was paced by Austin Brown who had a team-high 17 points off the bench. Brown shot 6 for 10 from the field. No other Tiger finished in double figures.