Defiance to Host Highly Competitive HCAC Hoops Tournament
February 25, 2008
GREENWOOD , IN – The highly competitive men’s basketball race heads to the six-team conference post-season tournament this weekend. The winner of the event will earn the conference’s automatic qualifier for the Division III NCAA tournament.
Defiance College (18-7, 13-3 HCAC) led the conference standings from start to finish this season and will look for their first HCAC conference tournament championship this weekend. The six-team field is a very balanced one and should feature some very competitive action. The Jackets posted an 8-2 record against the HCAC Tournament field, while Franklin and Hanover each sported a 5-5 mark. Transylvania, Anderson, and Rose-Hulman each prevailed with a 4-6 record against their fellow competition.
Defiance won the school’s first HCAC men’s basketball championship since the 2000-2001 season and is their second overall. The top seed Yellow Jackets have won four of their last five down the stretch, but fell at home to Rose-Hulman 43-42 in the regular season finale. Defiance will take on the winner of Hanover and Anderson Friday night in the HCAC semi-finals. DC earned a season sweep of both Anderson and Hanover this season.
Anderson (14-11, 10-6 HCAC) has been playing great basketball heading into the conference tournament. The No. 4 seed Ravens have posted victories in seven of their last eight games and will look to move into the semi-finals with a win at home over No. 5 Hanover Tuesday night. The Ravens and Panthers split their season series and Hanover (13-12, 9-7 HCAC) will look to run its win streak to three in a row with a win over AU. Anderson and Hanover will tip at 7:30 PM Tuesday night at Anderson University.
Franklin (16-9, 10-6 HCAC) earned the No. 2 seed after the tie-breaking scenario between themselves, Transylvania, and Anderson was resolved. The Grizzlies have won six of their last seven heading into the tournament and will face the winner of Transylvania and Rose-Hulman in the other semi-final Friday night at Defiance. Franklin earned a split with the Pioneers, but was swept by Rose-Hulman during their two meetings this season.
Transylvania (15-10, 10-6 HCAC) claimed the No. 3 seed and will play host to No. 6 Rose-Hulman Tuesday night in Lexington. The Pioneers swept the Engineers (12-13, 8-8 HCAC) during the regular season and will look for their third win against Rose to move into the conference semis at Defiance College. Transy heads into the conference tournament as the two-time defending champion. The Pioneers knocked off Defiance 77-64 in last year’s conference tournament championship. TU and RHIT will tip-off at 8:00 PM from the Beck Center Tuesday night.
The HCAC tournament championship game will take place at 7:00 PM Saturday evening from Defiance College.
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