Thursday, March 3, 2011

DePauw Travels To Hope For NCAA First Round Matchup


Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament champion DePauw University will make its eighth straight trip to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament, traveling to Hope (Mich.) College for first round play in an announcement made today. Printable Bracket | Interactive Bracket | NCAA Tournament Announcement | Selection Show

The Tigers won the SCAC's automatic bid with a 80-71 win over Hendrix College in the championship game.

Hope (26-2) earned a Pool C bid after being upset by rival Calvin 67-65 in the MIAA Conference Championship game.

The winner of the DePauw/Hope game will play the winner of the Denison (Ohio) University (28-0) vs. defending NCAA Champion Washington (Mo.) University (20-5).

DePauw was the only SCAC team selected to the tournament this year. Head coach Kris Huffman owns an 18-8 career record in the NCAA Tournament, including the 2007 NCAA National Title where the DU Tigers defeated Denison in the second round and Washington-St. Louis in the national title game.

On Wednesday SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer sat down with DePauw head coach Kris Huffman as the DU Tigers prepare for their NCAA first round match-up with Hope on Friday.

To listen to DePauw head coach Kris Huffman, click here.

Centre Travels To Marietta For NCAA First Round Matchup


Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament champion Centre College will make its fifth straight trip to the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament, traveling to Marietta (Ohio) College for first round play in an announcement made today. Interactive Bracket | NCAA Tournament Announcement

The Colonels won the SCAC's automatic bid with a 75-63 win over DePauw University in the championship game.

Marietta (25-3) earned the Ohio Athletic Conference's automatic bid by virtue of its tournament victory, culiminated with an 88-85 victory over John Carroll University with a game winning, three-pointer with 4.1 seconds remaining.

The winner of the Centre/Marietta game will play the winner of the La Roche (Pa.) College (25-2) vs. Wittenberg (Ohio) University (19-8).

Centre was the only SCAC team selected to the tournament this year. Head coach Greg Mason owns a 2-4 career record in the NCAA Tournament, including a 69-55 victory over fellow Ohio Athletic Conference member Capital in the first round of the 2007 Tournament.

On Tuesday SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer sat down with Centre head coach Greg Mason to discuss the Colonels NCAA first round match-up with Marietta.

To listen to head coach Greg Mason, click here.

Centre Wins Third Straight SCAC Men's Basketball Championship


The Centre College Colonels survived a furious DePauw University second half comeback attempt and earned the school's third straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship with a 75-63 win over rival DePauw. Box Score

With the win, the Colonels (21-5, 13-3 SCAC) earn the SCAC's automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship.

Appearing in the SCAC championship game for a sixth-straight year, Centre won its fourth championship in that span thanks to a 23 point performance from junior forward Greg Ross. Ross, the tournament's MVP, broke the SCAC tournament scoring average by scoring 23.7 points per game. Sophomore guard Bryon Ellis joined Ross on the All-Tournament team.

Against DePauw, Ross scored 23 points on 7-for-13 shooting and added eight rebounds. Sophomore teammate Bryon was 3-of-3 from beyond the arc and finished the tournament shooting a remarkable 84.6 percent from 3-point range (11-of-13 total).

Centre jumped out a commanding 34-18 lead thanks in large part to outstanding shooting and superb defensive effort. The Colonels connected on 14-of-23 from the field (60.9 percent) and limited a DePauw offense to 6-of-24 from the floor (25 percent).

The second half was a different story as the Tigers (19-9, 12-4 SCAC) shot over 62 percent (18-of-29) and trimmed Centre's lead to three with seven minutes remaining in the game. DePauw couldn't quite comeback as Centre was too much down the stretch.

The Tigers were led by junior Sean Haseley's 20 points and 10 rebounds. Ryan Sever chipped in with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting. Both Haseley and Sever were named to the All-Tournament team. Oglethorpe senior guard Joe Kennedy rounded out the All-Tournament team performers.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff Debaldo caught up with both head coaches along with sophomore guard Bryon Ellis and junior forward Greg Ross of Centre.

To listen to DePauw head coach Bill Fenlon, click here.

To listen to sophomore guard Bryon Ellis of Centre, click here.

To listen to junior forward Greg Ross of Centre, click here.

To listen to Centre head coach Greg Mason, click here.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

DePauw Claims Second Straight SCAC Title; Sixth All-Time


DePauw had five players score in double figures and out rebounded Hendrix 45-32 en route to an 80-71 victory to claim their second straight SCAC Tournament Title and sixth overall in their final SCAC Tournament as a member of the conference. BOX SCORE

Hendrix fought tough early having led most of the first half, however the DU Tigers closed out the first half on a 16-6 run just after the Warriors claimed a 23-19 led for a 35-29 halftime score.

Senior guard Katie Mathews paced five Tigers in scoring with 14 points to go along with two assists and two rebounds. Matthews also clipped the 1,000 career point mark in the contest becoming the 12th DU Tiger to reach that plateau. Sophomore guard Kate Walker recorded a double-double with 13 points and 10 assists. DePauw got a huge lift from its bench as Alex Gasasway netted 14 points and Ali Ross notched 11 points all in the second half.

Senior Christina Byler led all scorers on the evening with 25 points and five rebound in her final game for the Hendrix Warriors. The Warriors shot well for beyond the arc hitting on 47.1% (8-for-17) but it wasn't enough as Hendrix closes out the year with a record of 17-11.

Matthews was named SCAC Tournament MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament team by teammates Walker and Katie Aldrich along with Byler of Hendrix and Senior Shae Seagraves of Southwestern.

With the win, DePauw improved to 25-3 and earned the SCAC's automatic qualification into the NCAA Division III Championship. The SCAC tournament title was DePauw's sixth since the event began in 2003 and the Tigers' 10th SCAC title overall in 13 years of conference play.

After the game SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer caught up with both head coaches along with DePauw teammates Katie Mathews, Katie Aldrich and Kate Walker.

To listen to Hendrix head coach Emily Cummins, click here.

To listen to DePauw senior guard Katie Mathews, click here.

To listen to DePauw junior forward Katie Aldrich, click here.

To listen to DePauw sophomore guard Kate Walker, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Kris Huffman, click here.

Centre Advances to Face DePauw in SCAC Title Clash

Centre College, the East's No. 1 seed, advanced to its sixth consecutive Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference championship game with a 70-57 semifinal win over division rival and No. 3 East seed Oglethorpe University.

Sophomore guard Bryon Ellis led Centre (20-5, 13-3 SCAC) as he scored a game-high 28 points on 9-of-11 shooting, including an SCAC tournament record eight 3-point field goals. Ellis was 8-of-10 from beyond the arc. He matched former Centre standouts Matt Nestheide (Feb. 25, 2007) and Kris Bentley (March 1, 2009) as the only three to make at least eight shots from 3-point range in SCAC tournament history (since 2003).

Oglethorpe raced out to a 36-34 halftime lead on the strenght of shooting nearly 56 percent (15-of-27) in the first half. The Stormy Petrels (15-12, 10-6 SCAC) could not keep up their hot shooting as the Colonels limited Oglethorpe to 28 percent shooting (7-of-25) in the second half. Centre came into the SCAC tournament as the nation's second leading scoring defense, giving up an average of just 55.3 points per game.

Centre's Greg Ross, a night after scoring an SCAC tournament single-game record 38 points, added 10 points and 10 rebounds for the Colonels. Heading into the championship game, Ross is averaging 24 points and 10.5 rebounds per game.

Oglethorpe was led by senior guard Joe Kennedy's 18 poins, four rebounds and one steal. He shot 7-of-18 from the floor. Also chipping in for the Stormy Petrels were classmates Alex Richey (15 points) and Todd Ward (11 points).

The turning point of the game came on an Ellis three-pointer which gave Centre a 60-50 lead with 6:28 left in the game. From there, the Colonels were able to extend the lead to 68-54 with just over one minute remaining before earning the win.

Centre advances to the SCAC championship game for the sixth consecutive year and will look for its fourth SCAC championship in the last five years. The Colonels square off against yet another divsison rival in DePauw. These same two teams played for the conference championship a year ago with Centre prevailing 60-56. This will mark the third time that Centre and DePauw meet with an SCAC championship on the line. DePauw won the 2006 championship with a 64-61 win over Centre.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches along with sophomore guard Bryon Ellis of Centre.

To listen to Oglethorpe head coach Phil Ponder, click here.

To listen to Centre guard Bryon Ellis, click here.

To listen to Centre head coach Greg Mason, click here.

Saturday, February 26, 2011

DePauw Men Advance to Third SCAC Championship Game

DePauw University avenged its regular season loss to Trinity University as the Indiana Tigers (19-8, 12-4 SCAC) advanced to their second consecutive SCAC championship with a 58-56 win over the Texas Tigers in the first semifinal of the 2011 SCAC Men's Basketball tournament.

DePauw jumped out to a 33-24 halftime lead thanks to 50 percent shooting in the first half. The Indiana Tigers shot 13-of-26 while holding Trinity to 37 percent shooting in the first half (10-of-27).

Trinity scored 36 of their 56 points from three starters as Ryan Beall paced the group with 14 points and 11 rebounds. Beall was 5-of-9 from the floor. Freshman Robert Kitzinger scored 12 points while senior forward Luke Caldarera scored 10 points and added five rebounds.

In the second half DePauw cooled off as Trinity limited the Indiana Tigers to 9-of-23 shooting (39.1 percent). Trinity shot better as they connected on 14-of-29 from the floor in the second stanza (48.3 percent). Trinity tied the game with less than 30 seconds remaining on the heels of 13 offensive rebounds during the game.

Trailing 58-56 with 30 seconds left in the game, Trinity had a chance to tie or win the game on their final possession. However, Trinity's Caldarera was not able to get the tying basket as time expired.

With the win DePauw advances to its third all-time appearance in the SCAC championship game and second straight trip. DePauw won the 2006 SCAC championship before falling to Centre in last year's final, 60-56. DePauw will play the winner of the Centre vs. Oglethorpe semifinal on Sunday, February 27 at 2:30 p.m. CT at Millsaps College.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches and DePauw senior Steve Lemasters.

To listen to Trinity head coach Pat Cunningham, click here.

To listen to senior Steve Lemasters of DePauw, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Bill Fenlon, click here.

DePauw Advances to Eighth SCAC Title Game


With its 73-53 semifinal win over Trinity, DePauw's 10th-ranked women advanced to its eighth Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Basketball Tournament title game in the nine-year history of the event.

The Tigers improved to 24-3 with their 10th straight win, while Trinity finished its season at 14-13. DePauw faces Hendrix in tomorrow's Noon CST title game. The Warriors topped Southwestern, 77-67, in the day's other semifinal contest.

Trinity jumped out to an 11-2 lead and still held a 23-14 advantage after Jana Tucker's free throw with 9:26 left in the first half.

Kate Walker responded with a three which ignited a 12-0 DePauw run and gave the Tigers a 26-23 lead. DePauw led at the break, 34-30.

The Tigers scored the first five points of the second half to push the lead to 39-30. DePauw's lead was 49-39 with just under 12 minutes left before Ali Ross hit a jumper which started a 14-0 stretch and extended the Tigers' lead to 24 points.

Walker led DePauw with a career-high 19, while Katie Aldrich followed with her second double-double of the tournament with 13 points and 11 rebounds. Gasaway added 11 points with Katie Mathews and Brooke Osborne leading with four assists each.

Danielle Hubenak led Trinity with 18 points with Libby Kruse grabbing eight rebounds.

DePauw shot 46.7 percent from the field to Trinity's 33.3. The Tigers hit 51.7 percent in the second half to Trinity's 20.0 percent. DePauw also held a 43-33 edge on the boards.

After the game SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer caught up with both head coaches along with sophomore guard Kate Walker of DePauw.

To listen to Trinity head coach Amie Bradley, click here.

To listen to sophomore guard Kate Walker of DePauw, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Kris Huffman, click here.

Forty Bench Points Lifts Hendrix in First SCAC Tournament Final


Led by junior guard Anna Roane's 17 points, the Warriors bench outscored Southwestern's bench 40-11 to send Hendrix to their first ever SCAC Title game with a 77-67 victory from the Hanger Dome.

Hendrix, who had been 0-3 in semifinal games previously, hit 18-of-21 free throws in the second half including 14-of-16 in the final six minutes as the Warriors advance to the school's first ever title game.

Hendrix had five players score in double figures led by Anna Roane who had two assists to go along with 17 points on 5-for-9 shooting from the field. The Warriors crashed the boards as well out rebounding Southwestern 42-35 including 14-8 on the offensive end.

Southwestern had three players in double figures led by Anna Fareed with 17 points, two assists and two steals. Senior Shae Seagraves chipped in with 12 rebounds and seven points in her final game for the Pirates. With the loss, Southwestern closes out the year with a record of 17-10.

Hendrix improves to 17-10 on the year with the win and will play for a birth to the NCAA Division III National Tournament tomorrow in the SCAC Championship game. The Warriors will face the winner of today's second SCAC semifinal game between Trinity and DePauw tomorrow at 12:00 PM CST from the Hanger Dome on the Campus of Millsaps College.

After the game SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer caught up with both head coaches along with junior guard Anna Roane of Hendrix.

To listen to head coach Kerri Brinkoeter of Southwestern, click here.

To listen to junior guard Anna Roane of Hendrix, click here.

To listen to to Hendrix head coach Emily Cummins, click here.

Oglethorpe Soars to Men's Final Four

Just like their first meeting this season, Oglethorpe had a lead on Colorado College at halftime. However the Stormy Petrels were able to hang on and survive the Tigers' rally and advanced to teh SCAC semifinals with a back and forth 61-58 win.

In a matchup of arguably two of the best players in the SCAC in Colorado College's Nick Rose and Oglethorpe's Todd Ward, it was Ward's Petrels who secured the win. Oglethorpe had a 39-30 lead with 12:09 to play only to see Colorado College mount a comeback similar to the teams' regular season meeting back on Jan. 21. This time Oglethorpe was able to hold on for the win, unlike in the previous meeting.

The Stormy Petrels (15-11, 10-6 SCAC) shot a blistering 61.5 percent (8-of-13) in the second half as seniors Joe Kennedy and Ward combined to score 32 of the teams' 61 points. Ward added seven rebounds and now needs just six rebounds to tie and seven to break the all-time SCAC career rebounding record. Also scoring in double-figures for Oglethorpe was Alex Richey (12 points) and Andrew Steioff (11 points).

Colorado College was led by Rose's 18 points and 10 rebounds. He connected on 7-of-17 shooting. Freshman Ryan Milne added 16 points on 6-of-11 including 4-of-6 from beyond the arc. Ben Foley had a solid all around game for the Tigers (14-12, 10-6 SCAC) as he scored nine points, dished out six assists, did not committ a turnover and totaled two rebounds.

Oglethorpe advances to the SCAC semifinals on Saturday, February 26 where they will square off against division rival and No. 1 seed Centre College. The Stormy Petrels will make just its second-ever appearance in the SCAC semifinals and the program's first semifinal appearance since Oglethorpe lost in the championship game in 2004.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director caught up with both head coaches along with senior guard Joe Kennedy of Oglethorpe.

To listen to Colorado College head coach Andy Partee, click here.

To listen to senior guard Joe Kennedy of Oglethorpe, click here.

To listen to Oglethorpe head c0ach Phil Ponder, click here.

Trinity Presses into Women's Semi-Final


Trinity pressured Rhodes all night long forcing the Lynx into 23 turnovers helping lead the way to a 85-51 victory tonight from the Hanger Dome on the campus of Millsaps College.

Abby Dietert posted a game high 16 points, connecting on 7-for-10 shooting to go along with eight rebounds for the TU Tigers. Defensively Trinity forced turnovers all night long and help Rhodes to just 29.5% from the field.

Junior guard Sharwil Bell of Rhodes dropped 14 points to compliment nine rebounds in the losing effort. With the loss Rhodes closes out its season with an overall record of 9-16.

Trinity advances to tomorrow's semi-final round to square off against DePauw. This will mark the 6th meeting against the two teams in the SCAC Tournament with Trinity holding the 3-2 advantage. The TU Tigers are now 14-12 entering tomorrow's contest.

After the game SCAC Director of Communications caught up with both head coaches along with junior guard Abby Dietert of Trinity.

To listen to Rhodes head coach Matt Dean, click here.

To listen to junior guard Abby Dietert, click here.

To listen to Trinity head coach Amie Bradley, click here.

Friday, February 25, 2011

Ross' Tournament Record 38 Guides Colonels to 54-46 Win Over Hendrix

Centre College's Greg Ross scored an SCAC tournament single-game record 38 points on 11-for-19 shooting and added 11 rebounds in leading the East's No. 1 seed to a 54-46 win over No. 4 West seed Hendrix College Friday evening.

Ross broke previous record holder Jon Query's mark of 34 points. Query of Rose-Hulman scored 34 points against Southwestern in a quarterfinal loss back on Feb. 27, 2003.

The Colonels, (19-5, 13-3 SCAC), were held to under 40 pecent shooting (18-of-49) but rode Ross' record night to the win. No other Centre player scored more than six points as Ross accounted for 70 percent of Centre's scoring. Senior Alex Lloyd helped add to the Colonels' 50-25 rebound margin by tallying 10 rebounds.

Hendrix was led by Ammon Martin's 18 points on 7-of-16 shooting. He also added four rebounds. James Ewing and Colton Primm both added seven points for teh Warriors (10-16, 5-11 SCAC).

Centre jumped out to a quick 10-0 lead early in the first half before taking a 25-14 lead into the halft. Hendrix took its first lead afer coming back from a 26-15 deficit. The Warriors put a 17-2 run together midway through the second half to take a 32-28 lead. The Colonels then responded and closed out the game with a 26-14 run.

Centre advances to the SCAC semifinals on Saturday, February 26 where they await the winner of the No. 2 West Colorado College vs. No. 3 East Oglethorpe University match up. The Colonels will make its seventh consecutive appearance in the SCAC semifinals and the program's eighth semifinal appearance since 2003.

After the game SCAC Sports Information Director Jeff DeBaldo caught up with both head coaches along with junior forward Greg Ross of Centre.

To listen to head coach Thad McCracken, click here.

To listen to junior Greg Ross of Centre, click here.

To listen to Centre head coach Greg Mason, click here.

DePauw Tigers Defeat Colorado College Tigers 67-42 in Women's Quarterfinal Action

DePauw out rebounded Colorado College 45-28 including 17 offensive boards helping lead to a 67-42 victory Friday evening from the Hanger Dome on the campus of Millsaps College in Jackson, Mississippi.

Senior Katie Matthews of DePauw poured in 20 points to lead all scorers and junior Katie Aldrich chipped in with 17 points and 13 rebounds for the DU Tigers. DePauw closed out the last five minutes of the first half and continued the momentum second with a 20-5 run over Colorado College to open up the contest.

Colorado College held DePauw to just 1-for-12 from beyond the arc but it was the offensive rebounding that hurt the CC Tigers. Senior Alyssa Aldaz paced Colorado College with 10 points and three rebound in her final game for the CC Tigers. With the loss Colorado College closes out their season with a record of 11-15.

In their final year in the SCAC DePauw has now advanced to 10 straight tournament semi-final games. The win improves the DU Tigers record to 23-3 and will face off in the second women's semi-final game tomorrow against the winner of tonight's Rhodes Trinity match-up.

After the game SCAC Director of Communications Russell Kramer caught up with both head coaches along with senior guard Katie Mathews of DePauw University.

To listen to Colorado College head coach Liz Doran, click here.

To listen to DePauw senior guard Katie Mathews, click here.

To listen to DePauw head coach Kris Huffman, click here.