LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Alex Hall scored a season-high 35 points, making seven 3-pointers to help Drury topple defending champion Western Washington 107-97 on Saturday in the NCAA Division II semifinal.
The Panthers' top scorer shook off foul trouble to finish 10 of 15 from the field and set the pace for Drury's 34-of-59 shooting (57.6 percent). That offense was crucial in surviving Western Washington's rally from 24 down in the second half to get to 85-79 with 4:48 left.
Hall sandwiched two foul shots around three baskets by Cameron Adams to make it 93-81. Brandon Lockhart (24 points) and Ian Carter (19) both added two free throws to stretch it to 97-81 with just over 2 minutes left and seal the high-scoring game.
Teddy Simniok added 12 points for Drury, which faces Metro State in the championship on April 7 in Atlanta. Metro State beat top-ranked West Liberty 83-76 in the other semifinal.
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