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March 18, 2008

Van Zanic                                                                                                                                

Director of Sports Information

(724) 847-6886

vgzanic@geneva.edu

NEWS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 18, 2008

GENEVA OPENS NCCAA NATIONALS

WITH LOSS TO TOP SEEDED INDIANA WESLEYAN

Oakland City, IN – It had been 25 days since Geneva’s men’s basketball team had played a game. Since defeating Westminster in the final game of the regular season on February 23^rd, the Golden Tornadoes have been playing the waiting game. Geneva finally took the court in the first game of the NCCAA national tournament against Indiana Wesleyan. Geneva, the number eight seed in the eight-team tournament, dropped a 78-68 decision to top seeded Indiana Wesleyan. Geneva fell back to the .500 mark for the season at 13-13, while the Wildcats improved to 21-11.

Geneva did not show any rust in the early going as the two schools traded six lead changes in the first 12 minutes and the score was even at 19-19 with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. Indiana Wesleyan took control of the game at that point by scoring 15 of the next 17 points to grab a 34-21 lead. Geneva trailed 38-26 at the half and fell behind by as many as 18 points early in the second half.

The Golden Tornadoes made a second half run that pulled the game back into single digits. Joey Deep’s three free throws with six minutes remaining in the game cut the lead to nine points at 65-56. Geneva had several opportunities to draw closer, but could not control the offensive rebounding game of Indiana Wesleyan.

Greg McDivitt led Geneva’s offense with 19 points, while Bryan Hill knocked down five three point field goals and finished with 17 points in the loss. Freshman Matt Blocki was solid for the Golden Tornadoes with nine points and four rebounds off the bench. Indiana Wesleyan’s balanced attack featured four players in double figures. The Wildcats controlled the glass with 39 rebounds, including 13 offensive boards.

Geneva will play the loser of Asbury and Dallas Baptist in the consolation bracket on Wednesday afternoon at 2 pm.