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Final Four

Northwestern returns to the Final Four for the fourth time in seven years as they will play #2 MidAmerica Nazarene.

The Red Raiders and the Pioneers of MidAmerica Nazarene are two programs rich in tradition when it comes to the NAIA postseason championships. The two teams are tied for the most appearances at the national tournament (12) and have 43 tournament wins between them. Northwestern has won a pair of national championshps (01, 03) and finished second (1992) and reached the Final Four in 2002. The Pioneers have one second place finish and have been to the Final Four twice prior to this season. They are the lone holdover from the 2006 semfinals. Northwestern and MidAmerica met once at the national tournament, back in the 2001 championship game, where the Raiders were victorious, 82-78.

The Pioneers are 32-2 and come into tonight's contest on a 12-game win streak. Their last loss was to fellow Heart of America Conferece member, Evangel, on Feb. 1, 75-79. They also lost to Park ( Mo.), and NAIA Division I school, 75-78.

Northwestern defeated Albertson College (99-77), #6 Kansas Wesleyan (74-54) and defending champion College of the Ozarks in the quarterfinals, 73-57. The Raiders are led by first team all-conference juniors.