OTTUMWA - Bolstered by a 25 point-23 rebound performance from Ivan Aurrecoechea, No. 1 Indian Hills survived an upset bid from Northeast (Neb.) in the Region XI semifinals Wednesday night, 82-80. On a night where several NCAA Division I coaches from around the country where in attendance at the Hellyer Center, most likely courting the services of Aurrecoechea next season, the Spanish big man did not disappoint as sophomore posted yet another double-double, and the top-ranked Warriors would need every bit of it on this night.
The upstart Hawks from Northeast bolted to a 21-12 first-half lead on the strength of sharp shooter Steve Wooten, who led the visitors with 22 points on the night. But the Warriors would not buckle as the NJCAA No.1-ranked squad fought back to a 31-31 deadlock at the intermission.
The second half was more of what Warrior fans have come to expect from this crew, as coach Hank Plona's troops used a 13-4 run midway through the second stanza to open a ten point bulge with just over eight minutes remaining. The Hawks wouldn't go away quietly, however, as Northeast (15-17), who had gone winless in conference play during the regular season, fought back to within a pair of the lead in the waning seconds.
As good as Aurrecoechea had been all night, one of the few blemishes on an otherwise outstanding performance came with nine seconds to play as the Madrid, Spain native couldn't cash in on a pair from the charity stripe, and Jaquan Sanders' good look at a driving layup somehow rimmed out with 0.7 remaining on the clock allowing the undefeated Warriors to escape to Saturday's Region XI finals, 82-80.
Joining Aurrecoechea in double figures were a couple of reserves in Tomas Woldetensae with 13 points, including a couple huge treys down the stretch, and Jamel Allen's 11. Robert Montgomery added 9 while James Jean-Marie and Shane Gatling had 8 and 7 points, respectively. Indian Hills enjoyed a 42-25 advantage on the glass, including 15 offensive boards, which went a long way in keeping the gritty Hawks at arm's length in the second half, as repeated second and third chances were cashed in by the Warriors.
Indian Hills (31-0) now looks forward to Saturday's region finals at the Hellyer Center, and familiar foe Iowa Western (25-6) stands in its way to a berth in next Thursday's District XI finals. The Reivers dispatched Southeastern, 97-81 in the other Region XI semifinal in Council Bluffs to set up the third meeting between Iowa Western and the Warriors. IHCC defeated IWCC, 87-72 just five days ago at Reiver Arena, in addition to the 84-72 Warrior victory at the Hellyer Center back on January 27. Saturday's tipoff is set for 7 p.m.
Buy tickets for the Region XI Championship Finals Game, Saturday, March 3 here.