After 20 games across three days, the four teams going to Houston with hopes of winning a Division II national title are top-ranked Northern Iowa, defending champion IUP, Towson and Norwich. 

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To win the West Region at Forest Park in St. Louis, MO, Northern Iowa beat Saint Louis University, 76-12, in the Round of 16, and then matched up with Montana State in the second round, the Bobcats having bested the University of Chicago, 48-21, Saturday. 

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Sunday, Montana State raced out to a 21-0 start after 10 minutes against UNI, ending the first half up, 31-10. But UNI exploded after the break, tying the match at 36-36 to force extra time, where the Panthers scored a try to steal the win.  

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In Houston, UNI will take on Towson, champs of the Midwest Region at Tennessee Rugby Park in Knoxville, TN. The Tigers beat Loyola Chicago Saturday, 43-26, paced by four tries from flyhalf Aidan Parson. Sunday, Towson was tied with GVSU at halftime, 17-17, before going on a 23-point run. 

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On the other side of the bracket at the East Region in Fairfield, CT, Norwich beat Villanova in the first round, 43-0, driven by the Cadet forwards, who accounted for all but one try. They were exceptional again Sunday, beating Georgetown in the quarterfinals, 31-12. 

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Norwich will face IUP in the semis, winners of the South Region in Culpepper, VA. The Crimson Hawks waltzed past Salisbury in the first round, 64-0, but had everything they could handle in Sunday's quarterfinal against UNC Wilmington. IUP took a 19-7 lead into halftime, after some turnovers by UNC Wilmington at the goal line, but the second half saw the Seahawks swing momentum in their favor until the last 15 minutes, as IUP was able to hang on for the win.

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Towson takes on Northern Iowa December 13 at 4 p.m. CT at SaberCat Stadium, live on The Rugby Network Plus. Norwich and IUP kick off at 6 p.m.

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Men's DII Bracket

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Written by Nick Berger, Event Marketing Intern