NCAA DIVISION II BASKETBALL : Fast-Finishing UC Riverside Earns Its Trip to Louisville

UC Riverside scored eight unanswered points in the last minute to beat Seattle Pacific, 74-68, in the NCAA Division II West Regional on Saturday night and earn a trip to the Elite Eight for the first time in six years.

“The last time I was in Louisville (where the tournament will be held) was in 1970--I was a player for UCR and I had to guard Jim Price,” said UCR Coach John Masi.

“I don’t know how much he went for, but the next time I saw Price, he was playing for the Lakers. Let’s see how much I’ve matured since then.”

Certainly, it is a mature team that he is going to take back with him. Starters William Wilson and Craig Marshall are fifth-year seniors, sixth-man Chris Lowry is a senior and Boo Purdom, who led all scorers with 18 points, is a junior.

But even that experience didn’t pay off against Seattle Pacific until the final minute.

Seattle Pacific pulled within 66-64 with just over a minute left, but defense and free-throw shooting down the stretch did not allow the Falcons any closer.

It wasn’t the first comeback by Seattle Pacific (20-9).

Trailing, 45-32, three minutes into the second half, Seattle Pacific came back with a frenetic press that turned into a 12-0 run and a 46-45 lead with 13 minutes left. Seattle Pacific had four steals that led to seven of those points.

Seattle Pacific trailed, 53-49, when point guard William Wilson--Riverside’s best player--fouled out with 5:54 remaining. But Purdom moved to the point and Riverside (24-5) was able to protect its lead.

Riverside’s best finish in the NCAA tournament was third in 1970 and 1989.

In a consolation game Saturday, Cal State Los Angeles defeated Davis, 78-74.