POINT LOOKOUT, Mo. - Third-seeded Indiana Wesleyan rolled to an 81-56 win over Virginia-Wise in the first round of the 2010 NAIA D-II Men's Basketball National Championship. The 2010 event is being held at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks (Mo.).

It was Virginia-Wise that held the early advantage in this one, jumping out to a 7-2 lead. Indiana Wesleyan came back to score on three consecutive three-point plays, two by Spencer Harris, to grab a 13-8 lead. The game remained tight for the next 10 minutes until, with Virginia-Wise up one (21-20), the Wildcats closed the half on a 14-2 run to take control heading into the locker room, 34-23. Indiana Wesleyan dominated the glass in the first half, 18-11.

The third-seeded Wildcats continued to pour it on in the second frame, opening up a 20-point lead with 10 minutes left to go.

Indiana Wesleyan shot an even 50% for the game and placed four players in double figures. Will Hubertz led all players with 17 points, hitting on 3-of-7 three-pointers. Zach Coverstone, the Mid-Central Conference Defensive Player of the Year, registered 14 points, eight boards, three assists and two blocked shots. Ryan Hetrick (13) and Spencer Harris (11) were the other top scorers for the Wildcats. Indiana Wesleyan is the fourth MCC team to reach the second round in this year's tournament.

Making its second overall appearance and first since 2003, Virginia-Wise was led by Pance Kecev with 14 points. Travis Berry and Adam Hood scored 11 each. The Highland Cavaliers shot 43% from the field and were forced into 22 turnovers. They close the season with a 17-13 record.

Indiana Wesleyan (29-5) advances to the second round for the third time in the program's history. They will play #14 Eastern Oregon on Friday at 5:45 pm. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes March 17, 2009.