Wildcats come back from slow start to advance to title game

Johnson & Wales University took the court on Friday night in their semifinal matchup against the Central Baptist College Mustangs (Conway, Ark.) in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Division II Conference Tournament. The ‘Cats look to defend their back to back titles and earn their third straight conference championship and berth to the NAIA National Tournament.

Johnson & Wales came out of the gates struggling to find the basket finding themselves down 13-4 at the 11 minute mark. Jazz Williams sparked the Wildcats offense off the bench with two back to back buckets to keep the ‘Cats in the game. JWU went on a 12-4 run to bring the game to a 16-17 Mustangs advantage with just under seven minutes in the half. The Wildcats kept Central Baptist within reach but went into the break down 24-22.

Nick Maly made the first of two free throws to tie the game at 25 in the second half and Eric Gardzina put the game in JWU’s favor with a field goal to take the two point lead. Aaron Marshall was called for back to back fouls at the 13 minute mark that put the Mustangs into bonus. JWU still seemed unsure of themselves as Central Baptist was able to keep the game to as low as a two point Wildcat lead before the ‘Cats sprung to action.

The Mustangs down 12 points with just two minutes of play began fouling the ‘Cats to send them to the line and regain possession. Jake Richter found himself on the receiving end of many of the fouls and went to the stripe six straight times in the final minute.

Johnson & Wales was able to hold off the Mustangs and take the 67-55 win and advance to the championship game against Philander Smith College who earned their ticket with a win over Northern New Mexico College.

Gardzina had a game high 15 points and 11 boards to lead Johnson & Wales. Gerry Allen led the Mustangs with 12 points and Michael Holder brought down 6 rebounds.

The A.I.I. Championship game featuring number one seed Johnson & Wales hosting number two seed Philander Smith College will tipoff at 3:00 PM MST in the Wildcat Center.