Box Score

THE LEAD
The Dallas Baptist Men's Basketball Team will head to the NCCAA National Championship after defeating the Emmanuel College Lions, 57-51.

The Patriots were led by junior Shannon Lilly who would score 14 points on the night, all in the second half. Lilly would have a perfect shooting night going 6-6 from the field and 2-2 from three beyond the arc.

Amari Bryant and Myles Johnson would also score in double figures for DBU chipping in 12 and 11 points, respectively. Johnson would also have a game high 3 blocks on the afternoon.

In the first half of the NCCAA semi-final, the two squads would find themselves exchanging leads, before EC would create cushion against DBU. With the Patriots up, 19-17 after two Jonathan Perry free throws, the Lions would go on a nine point rally to take the lead, 26-19. As the first half would come to an end, the Patriots would close the margin to 28-25, trailing by only three heading into the locker rooms.

Out of intermission, the Patriots would begin to spearhead a comeback led by Shannon Lilly's offensive barrage. The Dallas native would go on to score 12 of DBU's next 19 points taking the lead over the Lions, 44-43 with 7:17 left in the game. The Patriots would also take it up a notch on D as they would lock down EC's shooting to 27% after shooting 47% in the first half.

EC led by Michael Stanley, who would have a game high 19 points would try to keep the Lions alive tying the score 48-48 with 2:12 remaining.

With 1:47 left and the game tied Amari Bryant would come up clutch for the Patriots sinking back to back free throws putting DBU up by two. Bryant would extend that lead by draining a three putting the team up, 53-48. Bryant would score eight of the last 12 points of the game to help send Dallas Baptist to the NCCAA Championship.

DBU HEAD COACH, BLAKE FLICKER - ON WIN OVER EMMANUEL COLLEGE
"Great team effort tonight. Probably our best defensive performance of the year. Guys were warriors on the glass as well. Several guys really stepped up. Shannon and Amari both made big shots down the stretch, and Franklin sealed the win with a big block and rebound."

ON THE REMATCH VERSUS COLORADO CHRISTIAN
"Saturday will be a huge test against a really good Colorado Christian team who is also playing at a really high level right now."

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
67% - FG% by DBU after shooting 35% in the first half.
27 - DBU's rebounds compared to EC's 22.
21 - DBU's bench points to EC's 10.
8 - Number of lead changes and tied scores.
5 - Number of DBU blocks to EC's 0.

UP NEXT FOR THE PATRIOTS
DBU will face the Colorado Christian Cougars in the NCCAA National Championship on Saturday, March 21 at 1:00 pm (CST). This will be a rematch of the NCCAA Regional Championship.