Bernell DorroughThe men’s and women’s basketball teams will play their final games of the 2003-2004 basketball season this Saturday. The 23rd-ranked men’s team (19-5, 11-2 in University Athletic Association [UAA] play) and 11th-ranked women’s team (20-4, 10-3 in UAA play) will travel to the University of Chicago with hopes of closing out the season strongly.
Both teams are in second place in the UAA, but with wins against the Maroons this upcoming Saturday, their hopes for UAA titles and NCAA berths are kept alive. On the women’s side, a loss by the New York University Judges (11-2 UAA), who beat the Bears last weekend 100-89, will tie the Bears for the number one slot and earn them their seventh straight UAA title and a berth in the NCAA Division III tournament. Likewise, the same holds true for the men-with a loss from the University of Rochester Yellowjackets (11-1 UAA) against Carnegie Mellon this weekend, the Bears can tie and continue their season into the NCAA tourney, as well as achieving their fourth straight 20-win season, their ninth under Coach Edwards’ direction.
Before the Bears can look to the tournament, however, they must first set their sights on this weekend. The men’s Maroons, who are 11-5 and 7-6 UAA, are a formidable opponent. Though the Bears won their first encounter with the Maroons on Jan. 10, 70-52, at home at the Field House, the Maroons are 9-2 at home at the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center and prove to stand a test to the Bears, who are 9-3 on the road. The women’s Maroons, who are 10-14 and 5-8 UAA, are 5-5 at home while the Bears have a solid road record of 10-2.
The Bears will look to their team leaders for support and guidance coming into the final game of the season. On the men’s side, the two departing seniors, Ryan Deboer and Barry Bryant, who were honored last weekend on Senior Day are having solid seasons. Bryant leads the team in points on the season with 344 and is averaging 14.3 points per game. Deboer, on the other hand, is leading the team in field goal percentage, total rebounds, and steals. Contributing is point guard sophomore Scott Stone, who is having a huge year, leading the team in assists, minutes played, and free-throw percentage.
Senior Lesley Hawley, on the women’s team, leads the team in points, steals, minutes, and three-point percentage. Center sophomore, Kelly Manning, who is leading the charge in rebounds, blocks, and free-throw percentage, hopes to add what she can to the Bears’ effort this weekend. The Maroons’ Scott Fisher and Korry Schwanz, the team’s respective point leaders, hope to put a dent in the Bears’ goals of reaching the NCAA tournament come March.
Following the game this Saturday, the 28th of February, the Men’s and Women’s NCAA Division III Selection Show will take place on Sunday, Feb. 29, in which the rounds and seeds will be determined for the NCAA tournament. Pending a Bears win and losses by the respective UAA leaders, the Bears will go on to play in the first round of competition on Wednesday, March 4. The location and time of the round have yet to be determined. The tournament will continue until March 20.