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Cougars Win Great Lakes Regional Title

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Johnson
Ty Johnson



 March 14, 2006


         RENSSELAER, Ind. - Ty Johnson sank four free throws in the final 12 seconds of overtime as Southern Illinois University Edwardsville defeated No. 17 Southern Indiana 64-60 to capture the Great Lakes Region Championship and pick up a slot in the Elite Eight in Springfield, Mass., next week.
         This will be SIUE's first appearance in the Elite Eight in its fifth NCAA appearance. The 25-7 Cougars advanced with gritty defense and timely shooting against a Southern Indiana team attempting to return to the Elite Eight after finishing second just two seasons ago.
         "I think we're all a little numb right now. We need to pinch ourselves," said SIUE Coach Marty Simmons.
         Johnson and Mike Hardiek were named to the All-Tournament team, earning it by making big shots in the overtime period. Hardiek led the Cougars with 19 points while Johnson added 14. Ryan Belcher was the third Cougar in double digits with 13 points.
         The Cougars displayed its trademark defense in the first half, allowing just 11 points from the Screaming Eagles. Southern Indiana shot 16 percent from the field in the first half.
         "At halftime, we were talking about how it was fool's gold the way they were shooting," said Simmons. The Screaming Eagles, 27-7, came into the game ranked 19th in the country in scoring offense at better than 84 points per game.
         Southern Indiana was down 26-11 at halftime but were far from being counted out. The Screaming Eagles picked up their intensity to start the second half and passed up the Cougars on a three-pointer by Geoff Van Winkle with 9:03 to play. Southern Indiana further put the Cougars down by seven (45-38) on a jumper by Danny Gibson with 3:52 left in regulation. Gibson led Southern Indiana with 19 points.
         J.B. Jones hit a layup with 3:16 to play to cut the lead to five. USI's Marty Wise hit the first of two free throws to put the Screaming Eagles up by six.
         Ryan Belcher nailed a three-pointer with 2:12 left to cut the lead to 46-43.
         "At that point, you could just see the life coming back into our bodies," said Simmons.
         Senior Justin Ward hit the game-tying shot on a three-pointer just 50 seconds later.
         Tied 46-46, both teams had a chance to win the ball game. USI turned the ball over when David Bryant dribbled the ball off his foot and was call for over and back.
         SIUE had a good look at the basket as J.B. Jones dribbled in for the layup on the right side. His shot and a tip-in by Ward wouldn't fall. The game was headed to overtime.
         In the overtime, Hardiek, Belcher and Johnson provided the offense. Hardiek, who scored 55 points in the Great Lakes Regional, scored eight points in overtime as both teams came out firing. SIUE would hit 5 of 7 in the overtime period and held Southern Indiana to 5 of 14 shooting in OT. It would end with Johnson's four free throws in the final 12 seconds.
         SIUE committed just 10 turnovers in the game and held strong against the No. 1 team in rebound margin. SIUE was outrebounded 42-35.
         The Cougars will next play the defending national champions Virginia Union in a 2:30 p.m. game in Springfield, Mass., on March 22. Virginia Union won the South Atlantic Region with a 76-71 victory over Georgia College & State.
                  -siue cougars-
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Players Mentioned

Ryan Belcher

#10 Ryan Belcher

G
6' 3"
Senior
Mike Hardiek

#34 Mike Hardiek

F
6' 7"
Junior
Ty Johnson

#3 Ty Johnson

G
5' 11"
Junior
J.B. Jones

#22 J.B. Jones

G
6' 2"
Sophomore
Justin Ward

#50 Justin Ward

F
6' 6"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Ryan Belcher

#10 Ryan Belcher

6' 3"
Senior
G
Mike Hardiek

#34 Mike Hardiek

6' 7"
Junior
F
Ty Johnson

#3 Ty Johnson

5' 11"
Junior
G
J.B. Jones

#22 J.B. Jones

6' 2"
Sophomore
G
Justin Ward

#50 Justin Ward

6' 6"
Senior
F