Cedarville University

Final NAIA National Ranking - No. 8

27-9 (.750) Overall
15-3 (.833) American Mideast Conference South Division

Up Next:  Season Completed
  (NAIA Division II National Tournament Information)

Josh Gast

Oregon Tech ends CU season, 83-78
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. (3-13-2004) - Eventual national champion and No. 16 seed Oregon Tech built up a 10-point second-half lead and then held on for a 83-78 win over No. 8 Cedarville in the quarterfinals of the 13th Annual NAIA Division II National Tournament. It finished off back-to-back 27-win campaigns for the Yellow Jackets which ties the school record for the most victories in a season.

The Hustlin' Owls bombed in seven three-point field goals in the first half and clung to a 41-37 lead at the break. After increasing the margin to 10 points in the second half, CU climbed back to within two points on numerous occasions without getting the equalizer. Oregon Tech scored on four possessions in the final minute which included a perfect 4-for-4 effort at the free throw line.

Mugabe Thomas led four Yellow Jackets in double figures with 18 points. Jason Weakley had 13 points while Josh Gast and Anthony Delimpo added 11 points each.

Five seniors ended their CU careers. Gast finished 7th on the school's all-time scoring list (1,912 points) and 1st in three-pointers made (320). Barry Chamberlin ends up 15th in scoring (1,442) and 7th in rebounding (973). Greg Guiler leaves with 1,083 points and as the all-time assist leader (535). Andrey Arkhipov scored 579 points in his four seasons while Brandon Lee had 430 points in his three years after transferring in. [STATS]

Jackets take out Cornerstone, 98-77
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. (3-12-2004) - Jason Weakley scored a game-high 26 points and the No. 8 seeded Yellow Jackets pulled away in the second half for a 98-77 victory over No. 9 Cornerstone in the second round of the 13th Annual NAIA Division II National Tournament. It's the first trip to the quarterfinals for Cedarville and the first time in five trips to the nationals that the Golden Eagles, who won the title in 1999, failed to reach the Final Four.

CU took a 41-36 lead into the halftime lockerroom and then shot 62 percent from the field in the second half to blow the contest open. The Jackets shot 83 percent from the charity stripe including a 20-for-23 showing in the final period.

Josh Gast hit four three-pointers and netted 18 points. Mugabe Thomas scored 14 points, Anthony Delimpo had 13 points with a game-high 12 rebounds, and Barry Chamberlin came off the bench with three treys and 13 points. [STATS]

Cedarville escapes Ozarks, 76-75, in NAIA opener
POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. (3-10-2004) - Josh Gast broke a tie score by hitting a tough free throw line jumper with 4.5 seconds left as the shot clock buzzer sounded and No. 8 seed Cedarville escaped host Ozarks, 76-75, in the first round of the 13th Annual NAIA Division II National Tournament. The Bobcats had a chance to send the game into overtime when a player was fouled as time expired, but the Jackets claimed the victory when the first free throw was made and the second one missed.

Cedarville slipped out to a 35-30 halftime lead. However, Ozarks turned the momentum around and took their largest lead, 65-61, with six minutes left. Gast, who struggled with his shot and failed to score a point in the first half, nailed his only trey of the night to close the gap to one and then eventually knocked down the game winner.

Mugabe Thomas scored a team-high 19 points before fouling out with 6:08 to play. Jason Weakley had 13 points and Anthony Delimpo added 10. [STATS]