KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Campbellsville is heading to its first quarterfinal game since 2008 after the Tigers outlasted Dillard University (La.), 81-73, in the NAIA National Tournament Round of 16 on Friday evening. 

Box Score

The last time the Tigers were headed to the quarterfinal game was back in 2008 after they defeated McKendree University 80-64 in the Round of 16. Campbellsville went on to beat Oklahoma Baptist, 74-69, in the quarterfinal to eventually lose to Oklahoma City, 78-64 in the only Fab Four Campbellsville has ever seen.

This is the first time both the Lady Tigers and the Tigers have advanced to the quarterfinals in the same year in Campbellsville basketball history.

"This is incredible because not a lot of people are realizing what we have done this year," said coach Keith Adkins. "We had a couple of season-ending injuries (Rod Lawrence and Erik Kinney). We have changed our style this year and the team has been very receptive. I couldn't be more proud of how the guys have battled all season."

Elliott Young scored 12 of the last 18 points from the seven-minute mark on to give the Tigers the push they needed to squeeze by the Bleu Devils. Young finished the game with a team-high 22 points — one point less than his career-high of 23. He went 8-of-15 from the field and 4-of-7 from behind the arc, while adding eight rebounds.

Senior, Sekou Harris was a true point guard, keeping the team together. He recorded 19 points while dishing out a game-high six assists, grabbing six rebounds, with one steal and block. Dii'jon Allen-Jordan was two rebounds away from tallying his 15^th double-double with 13 points and eight boards.

Campbellsville gained the lead at the 14:23 mark of the first half, never to trail the Bleu Devils again. Back-to-back 3s from Young and Hagen Tyler followed by a 12-footer from Shawn Johnson was the start of the first-half run. That run ended with the Tigers up 10 points with less than eight minutes left to play.

Heading into halftime, the Tigers were up 37-28, converting eight points off Dillard's 10 turnovers.

The second half was much like the first with both teams going on small runs but never extending the lead out of the other's reach. The crucial moments of the game came to the last 1:30 where the Tigers turned a one-possession game into two with an old-fashion 3-point play when Harris found an open Young under the basket. At that point, the Tigers were up six, 78-72.

Rob Robinson sealed the deal, making 3-of-4 free throws to put CU up 81-73.

Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year, Hagen Tyler, added 12 points going 4-of-9 from behind the 3-point line.  

Dillard leads the country in offensive rebounding and they met their average with 16. The Bleu Devils outrebounded the Tigers 50-40.

After Dennis Hightower's record-setting game the night before against Hope International — 38 points — CU held him to 19 points. He added five assists and four rebounds.

Campbellsville will play Carroll (Mont.) who defeated LSU- Alexandria, 66-60, in the quarterfinals at 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, March 18.