NCAC Weekly Release (3-5-12) - NCAA Basketball Tournaments

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2012 NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament

Wittenberg (23-6) and Wooster (26-4) have advanced to the Sectional round of the 2012 NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball Tournament after posting victories in second round action on Saturday night. The Tigers defeated Birmingham-Southern, 63-56, in the opening round, and edged Carroll, 87-70, in the second round. The Fighting Scots handed Maryville a 70-63 loss in the opening round and topped Capital, 92-79, in the second round. Wooster will be making its third consecutive trip to the round of 16, and have advanced to this point in the tournament in eight of the last 14 seasons.

The Sectionals will be a showdown between the North Coast and the College Conference of Illinois & Wisconsin. The Fighting Scots face Illinois Wesleyan (21-7) after the Titans knocked off  the No. 1-ranked team in the country, topping Hope 108-101 in two overtimes to advance out of the second round. Wittenberg, meanwhile, will face North Central (22-7). The Cardinals defeated Washington (MO.) to move on in tourney play.

The Sectionals will be hosted by the College of Wooster in Timken Gymnasium for the second year in a row. Sectional semifinals will be contested on Friday night (times TBA), while the Sectional Finals will be played on Saturday evening at 7:00 p.m. in Ohio with a berth to the National Semifinals on the line. Click HERE for more information on Wooster’s sectional round site.

The Tigers were led in the second round against Carroll by senior Michael Cooper (Springfield, OH/South), who poured in 18 points and four rebounds, and senior Clayton Black (Lancaster, OH/Lancaster), who added 13 points and four rebounds. In their opening round victory over Birmingham-Southern, Wittenberg was led by senior Josh McKee’s (New Carlisle, OH/Tecumseh) game-high 18 points. Senior Alex Brandt (Lewis Center, OH/Olentangy) contributed 14 points, while Black finished with 13 points and a game-high eight rebounds.

Wooster’s Justin Hallowell (Columbus, Oh/Thomas Worthington) paced the team with 20 points and a game-high nine rebounds in the second round victory over Capital and was joined in double figures scoring by four other teammates. In the opening round victory over Maryville, Hallowell once again led the way with 23 points and 10 rebounds, while junior Josh Claytor (Oxford, OH/Talawanda) contributed 15 to go along with a career-high 15 rebounds. In he victory over Capital, senior Matt Fegan (Strongsville, OH/Strongsville) set the NCAA Div. III career record with his 125th game played. The previous record was held by Virginia Wesleyan College’s Tonton Balenga (124; 2005-08).

Ohio Wesleyan fell to Hobart, 64-60, in the opening round of tournament play.  The loss marked the first NCAA opening round setback for the Battling Bishops in school history. Senior wing Tim Brady (Dublin, Ohio/Jerome) led the Battling Bishops with 20 points, junior guard Andy Winters (Columbus, OH/Bishop Watterson) finished with 12 points and five assists and junior post Marshall Morris (Tulsa, OK/Jenks) scored 10 points. 

2012 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament

DePauw (27-2) dropped a 53-48 decision to Carthage in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament on Saturday evening.  The Tigers’ 26-game win streak, and 26-game home win streak were both snapped with the loss. In the opening round on Friday night, DPU posted a 66-46 triumph over Westminster (MO).

DPU senior Katie Aldrich (Lexington, KY/Lafayette) paced the Tigers with 19 points and seven rebounds against Westminster, while junior Kate Walker (Indianapolis, IN/Perry Meridian) finished with 12 points and five assists in the victory.

In the loss against Carthage, Walker led DePauw with 13 points and four assists, while classmate Ellie Pearson (Madison, WI/Madison West) grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. DePauw shot a season-low 30 percent from the floor, while Carthage shot 50 percent. The Tigers attempted 20 more field goals and held a 41-19 edge on the boards including 21 on the offensive glass for a 10-0 advantage in second-chance points. The Tigers finish the 2011-12 season with a 27-2 overall record and a perfect 16-0 mark in their NCAC debut.