LAWRENCE, KS - The third-seeded WAU men's basketball team (18-9, 5-2) advances to the 2024 CAC Championship Tournament finals after the victory last night, knocking off two-seeded Florida National University 67-60 in Lawrence, KS.

The Shock's Derrick Hopkins scored 20 points in victory to lead all scorers on the night, his eighth double-figure game of the season. WAU's perimeter defense held FNU to 4-of-22 shooting from beyond the arc in the last game of the Final Four.

WAU put three players in double figures for the second night in a row, led by Hopkins' 20 points and nine rebounds. Mohamed Bundu scored 15 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and recorded three blocks on the night. Isaiah Anderson came off the bench to chip in 16 points and six rebounds. The trio recorded 51 of the Shock's 67 points and combined for an impressive 60% 3-point shooting average (6-of-10) and 85% free-throw average (17-of-20).

The Shock took a 31-25 lead into the halftime break. A pair of free throws from FNU's Gary Adams brought the Conquistadors even at 31-31 four minutes into the second half. FNU took a 41-39 lead after a basket from Matthew Robinson at the 11:12 mark.

WAU used a 9-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 48-43 lead after two free throws by Bundu. The margin grew to nine points, at 56-47, following a 3-pointer from senior point guard Tunde Scrivner with 5:26 remaining.

The Shock continued their defensive momentum to close out the contest. The Conquistadors could only get within four points the other way after a jumper from Adams and a 3-point field goal by Jovan Debrito closed the gap to 56-52, heading into the game's final five minutes.

Hopkins went on a personal scoring run in the last five minutes of the contest, scoring 11 of his 20 points to seal the 67-60 victory for the Shock.

The semifinal victory secures the Shock's ticket to the 86th annual NAIA Men's Basketball National Tournament. The NAIA announced its inaugural 64-team bracket on Thursday, March 3rd, 2022. This year will be the third season with a complete tournament under the new format with combined divisions after fielding only 48 teams in 2021.

NEXT UP

The Shock will remain in Lawrence, KS, and compete in the finals, taking on #1 Florida College tonight, Sunday, March 3rd, at 5:00 pm EST.

LIVE VIEW: HERE

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