Eagles Look to CAC Playoffs

By ASHLEY SCHARF

This past Saturday the University of Mary Washington Men’s Basketball team faced Marymount University for the second time this year. In the Eagles final regular season home game and senior night; the Eagles dominated the court with a 89-66 win.

After a disappointing finish against Marymount previously, the men’s team put forth all their effort to capture the win.

“It was really good to get a victory,” senior guard Eric Pearson said, who scored 14 points in the game. “It helps us with our seeding.”

In terms of seeding the Eagles’ next two games are very important. Their matches against Villa Julie College and Wesley College, both Capital Athletic Conference teams, will determine whom they have to play in the first round of the CAC playoffs.

“The seniors stepped up on senior night,” sophomore center Brandon Altmann said. “It was a great win because we lost to them the last time. It was nice to blow them out.”

By halftime, the Eagles had extended their lead to 12 and were able to maintain the gap for the entire game.

Junior point guard Matt Hale scored 14 points while senior forward Justin Baker adding to a big 12 points to the Eagles score.

Senior forward Jon Pierce along with sophomore guard Ben Stokes also had big points for the Eagle squad.

Due to an injury, sophomore forward Sam Groseclose replaced sophomore forward Eric Rolander. Groseclose filled in nicely contributing nine points to the Eagle’s victory.

The men’s basketball team looks to put up quite a fight in the next two games. Being in the playoffs puts some pressure on the men but with the team’s goal of making it to the NCAA tournament within reach, the Eagles don’t plan on slowing down now.

If the Eagles win a game versus Wesley or Villa Julie they will gain home court advantage Tuesday night. With another win the Eagles will look to the semi-finals the following Thursday which will determine if they will play in the CAC championships.

“Wesley is really big; they are tied for third in the Conference. Only they and Hood College can catch up with us. We have a strategy to get the star player out of the game by denying him the ball,” said Pearson. “That way we will play four on four, which gives us a better shot.”

While the outcome is uncertain for these upcoming games, the result of this past Saturday’s game seems to have motivated the team in hopes of placing second overall in the conference and once again working their way to the NCAA Championships.