WINONA LAKE, In. --- Asbury University and Ecclesia College each fell just shy of upset wins on day one of the NCCAA Tournament, so they met up on day two at Winona Lake, In. Despite the game being tied at half, a stifling AU defense held Ecclesia to only 19 second half points leading to an Asbury win 77-60.

This game was back and forth throughout the entire first half as both teams came out hot, each shooting over 45 percent from the field and 15 threes combined. The offensive minded first half ended with a tie at 41 and the team's stat lines almost identical. Asbury made 8 threes in the first half, four of those from the hot hand of Eric Powell.

The Eagles came out in the second half continuing their success on offense, but their defense was key to the lead they grabbed over Ecclesia. AU's defense managed to turn Ecclesia over 9 times in the half and hold them to only 19 points.

13 points from Nick Fort in the second half on 6-8 shooting led AU to holding the lead and pulling away at the end of the game. This marks Asbury's 15th win of the season and first win in this NCCAA National Tournament. 

* Eric Powell continued his lights out 3 PT shooting going 5-8, and 8-16 from the field for 21 pts. Powell also gathered 8 reb for a season high 

* Nick Fort was an extremely efficient 9-14 from the field with 21 pts and 7 reb

* Clayton Winter left his mark, going 6-11 for 13 pts and 4 ast

* Both of these teams lit up the nets in the first half scoring 41 pts a piece

* The Asbury defense settled in nicely in the second half only allowing 19 pts from Ecclesia College

* Asbury turned Ecclesia over 17 times in the game

* Eric Powell has now made 10 threes in two games in the NCCAA Tournament

"It was a great team win today, we had contributions from top to bottom and we were able to bounce back and get a win against a talented Ecclesia team. We plan to finish the season off on a strong note with a win tomorrow!"

     * Junior Guard, Eric Powell

Asbury will face Alice Lloyd for the fourth time this season on Friday at 5 PM for fifth place in the NCCAA National Tournament