March 10, 2009

Center Valley, Pa. - No. 2 seed Holy Cross and No. 1 American face off for the Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship on Friday at 4:45 p.m. from American's Bender Arena. The game will be televised live on ESPN2, with Dave Barnett doing play-by-play and Tim Welsh on color commentary. The Crusaders are seeking to extend their Patriot League record to six titles, while American goes for a repeat crown.

Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship Release - 3.10.09

Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship Preview

After establishing themselves as the top two teams during the regular season, No. 2 seed Holy Cross and No. 1 American will square off for the Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship at Bender Arena on Friday at 4:45 p.m. on ESPN2.

Both teams posted a pair of victories on their home court to get to the title contest. American defeated No. 8 Lafayette, 78-56, in the quarterfinals on March 4 before scoring the final six points of the game to upend No. 4 Army, 61-60, in Sunday's semifinal. Holy Cross notched a pair of double-digit wins, beating No. 7 Bucknell, 75-56, in the quarterfinals and knocking off No. 6 Colgate, 61-44, in the semifinals.

The Crusaders and Eagles have enjoyed a competitive series that includes a pair of matchups in the Patriot League Championship. Holy Cross won both matchups in the title game, with a 58-54 victory at American in 2002 and a 72-64 triumph at home in 2003. The Crusaders hold a 3-1 advantage in the Patriot League Tournament matchups between the teams, but American did beat Holy Cross, 62-60, in last year's quarterfinals on the way to its first title.

American is ninth nationally in scoring defense at 58.5 points per game, and has limited nine of its last 10 opponents to 60 points or less. The Eagles are also among the national leaders in field goal defense. The Eagles are led by Patriot League Player of the Year Derrick Mercer at point guard, as well as All-League selections Garrison Carr at guard and Brian Gilmore at forward.

Holy Cross is among the national leaders in scoring defense, rebounding margin and steals. The Crusaders boast the Patriot League Rookie of the Year, R.J. Evans, who leads all players with 45 points in the first two Tournament games.

Both teams are trying to extend a run of success in the Patriot League Tournament. Holy Cross is playing in its record 10th title game, and already leads all League teams with five titles. It is Holy Cross' seventh title game appearance in nine years, and fourth in five seasons. American is in its fifth title contest in only eight years in the Patriot League, and tries to become the seventh program to repeat as champion.

The winner of the Patriot League Championship receives an automatic bid to the NCAA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament. Selections for the NCAA field will be announced on Sunday night at 6 p.m. on CBS.

Patriot League Championship Notebook

Crusaders and Eagles Meet In Third Championship Game

Holy Cross and American will face off for the Patriot League Championship for the third time on Friday at 4:45 p.m. on ESPN2, making it the second-most played title matchup in League history. Only Holy Cross and Bucknell have more with four Championship matchups. The Crusaders notched a 58-54 win at American in 2002 and a 72-64 victory at home in 2003 in the previous title-game meetings.

Holy Cross, American Established As Top League Programs

The title-game matchup solidifies the status of both Holy Cross and American as two of the best programs in League annals. The Crusaders extend their Patriot League record with their 10th title game apperance, and will be trying to add to their League-best five titles. They are in the Championship for the seventh time in the last nine years, and fourth in the past five seasons. The Eagles will try to join a group of four two-time champions, which would follow only the five of Holy Cross and three of Navy. American is in its fifth title game appereance in eight years in the Patriot League, trailing only Holy Cross, Bucknell (7) and Navy (6) for most appearances in Championship contests.

Willard, Jones Hold High Marks in League Tournament

The two veteran head coaches for Friday's matchup continue to leave their imprint on the Patriot League Tournament. Holy Cross Head Coach Ralph Willard is second in career Tournament games won (17) and coached (22), while holding the top spot with a .773 winning percentage. Willard is the only coach in Patriot League history with four titles. American Head Coach Jeff Jones is in the top five in Tournament games won (14) and coached (20), and second with a .700 winning percentage.

American Tries To Maintain Success of No. 1 Seeds

American has already continued the trend of No. 1 seeds making the Patriot League Championship, as the top-seeded team has advanced to the title game in each of the League's 19 seasons. Now, the Eagles will try to keep up the tradition of No. 1 seeds winning the title. The top seed has won 14 of the 18 League Tournaments, including American claiming a 52-46 win over No. 3 Colgate in last year's title game.

Repeat Is No Unusual Feat

Also in the Eagles' favor is the history of repeat champions in the Patriot League. There have already been six repeat champions in League annals, with just four champions earning only a single crown. Lehigh is the only Patriot League program to win one title but never repeat as a champion, a distinction the Eagles will try to avoid joining this season.

Home Court Suits American Just Fine For Championship

Playing at Bender Arena appears to give American an edge, both historically and based on this season's results. In Patriot League Championship contests, the home team has a 13-4 record, including a 13-2 mark in the last 15 games. The No. 1 seed is 12-3 when the title game is played on its home court. American has won 11 straight home games and 16 in a row at Bender Arena against Patriot League competition.

Holy Cross Has History On Its Side, Too

While the No. 1 seeds have a great track record in the Championship game, Holy Cross might just like its chances as the No. 2. The Crusaders account for two of the four victories for No. 2 seeds in the title game, winning at Bucknell, 98-73, in 1993 and scoring the 58-54 win at American in 2002. Holy Cross has a 10-1 record as the No. 2 seed in the Patriot League Tournament. The Crusaders have a 2-2 record as the visitor in the Patriot League Championshp game, with losses in 1996 and 2006. The Crusaders are the 12th No. 2 seed to make the title game. No team seeded lower than No. 2 has ever won the title.

American Continues to Roll

American's 12-game winning streak is the second-longest in the country, and the Eagles are among the top teams at home and on the road. Their 11-game home winning streak is tied for the 13th-longest in the country, and the Eagles have won 16 straight at home against Patriot League teams. They are tied for the best mark in the nation with 11 road wins. With their recent hot stretch, the Eagles have moved up to the No. 17 position in the CollegeInsider.com Mid-Major top 25. Patriot League Championship Nationally Televised The Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship can be seen live on national television on ESPN2 at 4:45 p.m. on Friday. Dave Barnett will handle the play-by-play, while Tim Welsh will do the color commentary.

Patriot League Championship Nationally Televised

The Patriot League Men's Basketball Championship can be seen live on national television on ESPN2 at 4:45 p.m. on Friday. Dave Barnett will handle the play-by-play, while Tim Welsh will do the color commentary.

Tickets Available for Championship Contest

Tickets for American's contest at Bender Arena may be purchased online by visiting ww.aueagles.com or via telephone at 202-885-TIXX. Tickets can also be purchased in person at the Bender Arena box office.

Patriot League Semifinal Recaps

American had to rally to win its semfinal contest on Sunday, while Holy Cross cruised to victory. Brian Gilmore's foul shot with 3.6 seconds remaining lifted the Eagles to victory, as American scored the final six points of the game to beat No. 4 seed Army, 61-60, at Bender Arena. Gilmore had tied the score on a three-pointer with 43 seconds to go, and led all scorers with 19 points. Holy Cross opened with the first seven points of the game on its way to an easy 61-44 win at home over No. 6 Colgate. The Crusaders led by 14 at halftime, and went up by as many as 27 points in the second half. Eric Meister led all players with a career-high 19 points and nine rebounds.

American Enters Exclusive Company in League Annals

By clinching the No. 1 seed in the Patriot League Tournament, American became the first team since Lafayette in 1998-00 to earn the top seed in consecutive seasons. The Leopards are the only program to earn three straight No. 1 seeds, with Colgate (1995-96) and Fordham (1990-91) the others to do it in consecutive years. American is also the first team in League annals to earn sole possession of the regular-season title for two straight seasons.

Elite Status For Two Patriot League Guards

American's Derrick Mercer and Navy's Kaleo Kina both have some of the top career statistics in League annals. Mercer is the first player in League history with 1,200 career points and 500 career assists. Kina joins Lafayette's Brian Ehlers (1996-00) as the only players in Patriot League history with 1,500 points, 400 rebounds, 300 assists and 150 steals.

Mercer Pulls Off A Rare Double

When he was named Patriot League Player of the Year, American senior guard Derrick Mercer became just the fifth student-athlete in League history to earn both Rookie and Player of the Year recognition. Mercer joins a group that includes Holy Cross' Rob Feaster (1991-92 Rookie, 1994-95 Player), Colgate's Adonal Foyle (1994-95 Rookie, 1995-96 and 96-97 Player), Lafayette Stefan Ciosici (1995-96 Rookie and 1997-98 Player) and Holy Cross' Tim Szatko, who was the last to pull off the feat when he was named Rookie of the Year in 1999-00 and Player of the Year in 2000-01.

Three Patriot Leaguers Named NABC All-District

The Patriot League recorded its best-ever showing on the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC) Division I All-District teams, with three players named to the lists for the second time in League annals and a pair of first-team selections for the first time. American senior guard Garrison Carr and Navy senior guard Kaleo Kina each garnered first-team accolades after receiving First-Team All-League honors, while Lehigh junior forward Zahir Carrington was recognized on the second-team after picking up Second-Team All-League honors. All three players were honored in District 13, giving the Patriot League three honorees in one season for the first time since 1995.

Patriot League All-League and Major Awards Announced

The Patriot League All-League teams and major awards were announced on March 2. Mercer earned American's first Patriot League Player of the Year award since 2002, while Head Coach Jeff Jones received Coach of the Year recognition for the first time. The remaining two major awards went to student-athletes from Holy Cross and Army. Freshman guard R.J. Evans received Rookie of the Year honors for the Crusaders, while junior guard Marcus Nelson was named Patriot League Defensive Player of the Year from the Black Knights. For more information on the All-League team and major award winners, go to www.patriotleague.com or see the sidebar on page two of the Patriot League men's basketball release.

Patriot League Championship

No. 2 Holy Cross (18-13, 11-3 PL) at No. 1 American (23-7, 13-1 PL)
Friday, 4:45 p.m.
Bender Arena, Washington, D.C.; TV: ESPN2
Series: Holy Cross, 15-6 Streak: American, One Win
Last Meeting: American, 56-50 (2.21.09) Last HC Win: 71-62 (1.24.09)

Holy Cross/American Tournament Notes No. 2 seed Holy Cross and No. 1 seed American play for the Patriot League Championship on Friday at 4:45 p.m. on ESPN2...The teams are meeting in the final for the third time, with the Crusaders winning in each of the previous instances...Holy Cross won at American, 58-54, in 2002, and earned a 72-64 victory at home in 2003...Both games also pitted No. 1 against No. 2, with the home team as the No. 1 seed...Holy Cross holds a 3-1 Tournament mark against the Eagles, including a 55-53 win at home in the semifinals in 2007...American earned its first Tournament victory over the Crusaders last season, knocking Holy Cross out in the quarterfinals, 62-60, on the way to the Patriot League Championship...Holy Cross is in its Patriot League record 10th title game, and is 5-4 in title contests to date...The five titles are the most for a Patriot League team...Holy Cross is in the title game for the fourth time in the last five seasons and seventh in the last nine seasons...American plays its fifth Championship contest in eight seasons as a Patriot League member...The Eagles are 1-3 in the title matchup, losing from 2002-04 before winning last year's crown....American is trying to become the seventh Patriot League program to repeat as champion.

Holy Cross/American Series The teams split the season series as they continued a recent history of competitive games...Holy Cross notched a 71-62 win at home on Jan. 24, while American claimed a 56-50 win at Bender Arena on Feb. 21...Five of the last six matchups have been decided by 10 points or less, with three of those coming by a two-point final...That includes American's 62-60 win in last year's quarterfinals and Holy Cross' 66-64 triumph at Bender Arena in the 2008 regular season...American has won three of the last four meetings after Holy Cross rolled off eight in a row...Each of the Patriot League Tournament matchups were decided by single digits, with three by four points or less...Holy Cross leads the all-time series, 15-6.

Holy Cross The No. 2 seed Crusaders moved on to their Patriot League record 10th Championship game with a 61-44 win over No. 6 Colgate at the Hart Center on Sunday...Holy Cross won its eighth consecutive semifinal matchup, and has not lost in the round since 1994...The Crusaders are 10-2 in semifinal contests...Holy Cross led from start to finish in the game, opening up a 7-0 lead and carrying a 28-14 advantage into the break...The Crusaders went on a 17-2 run to build their biggest lead of the day at 27 points, and led by at least 20 until Colgate cut the gap in the final two minutes...Eric Meister led all players in points (19) and rebounds (nine) in the contest...The point total was a career-high and came on 9-of-10 shooting, the best mark for a Patriot League player this season...R.J. Evans tallied 14 points in the game, and leads all players with 45 points in the Tournament...The Crusaders are in the title game for the fourth time in the last five years, and trying for their second Championship in the last three seasons

American The top-seeded Eagles advanced to the Patriot League Championship for the second year in a row with a dramatic 61-60 win over No. 4 Army in the semfinals at Bender Arena on Sunday...American is in its fifth Patriot League title game in eight seasons as a League member, and going for its second title...The No. 1 seed has advanced to the Patriot League Championship in each of the 19 seasons of the League Tournament...Brian Gilmore's foul shot with 3.6 seconds remaining lifted the Eagles to the win over Army...Gilmore had tied the score on a three-pointer with 43 seconds to go, as the Eagles came back from a 60-55 deficit with just over two minutes remaining...American trailed by 11 points early in the second half before rallying to get back into the game...Gilmore led the Eagles with 19 points, while Garrison Carr also finished in double figures with 17...American earned its 12th consecutive win, the second-longest streak in the country...The Eagles also won for the 11th straight time at home and 16th consecutive home game against a Patriot League opponent...They are 6-1 in the Patriot League Tournament at Bender Arena, with six straight wins at the facility.