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.