POINT LOOKOUT, Missouri -- No. 2 seed Robert Morris University (Illinois) earned a hard-fought 86-81 win against No. 7 seed WVU Tech in a tight match-up during the NAIA Division II National Basketball Championship. The Golden Bears finish their 2017 campaign with an overall record of 23-9 while the Eagles advance to Friday's second round, 27-6.

Tech got off to a quick start in the opening minutes before allowing Robert Morris to fight back and gain the momentum by the end of the first half.

WVU Tech's tough defensive stand of 15 steals, 12 of which came in the first half, was not enough to out match the offensive efficiency of the Eagles. 

Robert Morris fired 53.4 percent from the field, powered by Darius Paul with 23 points and Antonio Levy with 20 points, who combined for half of the teams' points. The Eagles had good success from beyond the arc, draining 12-of-29 three-pointers (41 percent).

Tech finished with five Golden Bears in double-digits including a team-best effort from junior Elisha Boone who poured in 20 points. Fellow classmate Ryan Atkins finished with 16 points while senior Ra'Shaud Kincaid had 11 and junior Michael Scott and senior Hunter Moles had ten each.

Robert Morris held a +10 advantage on the glass despite WVU Tech coming in as one of the top rebounding teams in the NAIA (+13). Paul and Darius Randolph both pulled down seven to lead the Eagles.

The Gold and Blue were led by Boone who had five rebounds. Kincaid, Scott and Atkins all finished with four rebounds.

Despite the Golden Bears fight to comeback in the final minutes, WVU Tech fired only 60.9 percent from the free throw line (14/23). WVU Tech also struggled to convert on the Eagles' 18 turnovers throughout the game.

Robert Morris will face the winner of No. 3 Davenport and No. 6 Tabor on Friday at 1:45 p.m. CST. For more information on the national championship, click here. To watch the live video stream, go to NAIANetwork.com.