WATERTOWN, S.D. -- The top-seeded Bellevue University men's basketball team fell to fifth-seeded Waldorf University 68-66 in the semifinals of the North Star Athletic Association Tournament on Saturday evening at the Watertown Civic Arena.
Waldorf improves to 12-17 and advances to tomorrow's championship game. The Warriors will face the winner of the (2-seed) Mayville State and (3-seed) Viterbo at 4 p.m.
Bellevue falls to 24-8 overall.
Bellevue did well early, getting NSAA Defensive Player of the Year Gabriel Munoz to pick up two early fouls and have to sit the final 13:22 of the first half.
The Bruins trailed 9-8 when Munoz went to the bench but went on a 16-6 scoring run over the next 6:06 to grab a 24-15 lead.
Waldorf trimmed the deficit to one point on a pair of occasions but BU took a 34-31 lead into halftime.
Quincy Minor Jr. (13) and Demetrius Martin (12) combined for 25 of Waldorf's 31 first half point.
Lewis Hayes led Bellevue with 10 in the opening 20 minutes. Jaron Dickson (7), Jemeil King (6), Isaiah Bates (5), and Amenofis Mitchell (5) all had at least five in the first half as Bu spread the offensive wealth.
The early portion of the second half was back and forth until Melvin Martin put Waldorf ahead.
Leading by five with possession, Waldorf had a chance to create additional separation but Hayes rebounded Brady Kuchinka's contested three and Jemeil King hit a pull up three at the other end to pull BU within one possession, 52-50 with 6:32 to play.
Waldorf stretched the lead to seven before Niamey Harris banged in a kick-out three from Jemeil King to pull the Bruins to within four, 62-58, with 3:32 to play.
The Warriors kept a two-point advantage until Hayes drove the lane and drew a foul before going on to make both free throws to cut the deficit to 64-61.
Bellevue called timeout and Jaron Dickson stole the ensuing inbounds play and converted a layup to make it a one-point game.
Demetrius Martin answered with a floater in the paint at the other end for a 66-63 Waldorf lead.
Hayes again got to the line on the next possession, making 1-of-2, and Connor Dukes stole the long Waldorf pass to give Bellevue possession. Niamey Harris drove hard to the basket and earned a pair of free throws, knocking down both to tie the game.
Brady Kuchinka hit a floater over a pair of Bellevue defenders to put Waldorf back ahead with 1.8 seconds left on the clock.
Demetrius Martin led all players with 27 points and Quincy Minor Jr. added 15 for the Warriors. Gabriel Munoz finished with nine points and nine boards.
Lewis Hayes led four Bruins in double figures with 19 points. Jemeil King added 12 and nine rebounds. Jaron Dickson and Niamey Harris each chipped in 10 points.
