By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
MARYVILLE - The 15th-ranked Southern Nazarene Crimson Storm scored a stunning 61-57 win over the three-time defending national champion Northwest Missouri State men's basketball team in the NCAA Central Regional semifinals at Bearcat Arena Sunday.
The Crimson Storm snapped Northwest's 18-game NCAA tournament win streak, shooting 59.5% from the field, including 62.5% in the second half. SNU outscored Northwest 36-25 in the second half.
Northwest junior Wes Dreamer buried a three-pointer on the right wing with 42.2 left to even the game at 57-57.
SNU freshman guard Javon Jackson, who poured in a game-high 24 points, hit the go-ahead jumper from the baseline with 14.8 left to give SNU a 59-57 lead. The Crimson Storm hit a couple more free throws with 2.1 remaining to seal the deal.
Senior and St. Joseph native Diego Bernard scored a team-high 14 points in only the fourth loss at home in his storied collegiate career, which includes over 150 wins, over 2000 points and three national titles.
Southern Nazarene will take on Minnesota Duluth on Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Central Region Final at Bearcat Arena.