For the second year in a row, both Monroe College basketball teams are NJCAA Region 15 champions! On Sunday, February 28, the Mustangs defeated ASA, 71-67, to capture their second consecutive men’s Division I title under head Coach Jeff Brustad and on Tuesday, March 2 head coach Seth Goodman’s Lady Mustangs won their seventh in a row and first as a Division II team, defeating CCRI, 83-68.
In their quest to qualify for national tournaments, both Monroe teams face stiff District challenges this weekend. On Saturday, March 6 at 1:00pm, the 24-7 Mustangs will kick off their four-team District tournament against 26-2 Harcum College, the nation’s #3-ranked team, who they upset in the regular season’s final game. At the time Harcum was undefeated and ranked #1.
“We know Harcum is going to be eager to make amends for what happened the last time we played them,” said Coach Jeff Brustad. “By the same token, our guys are playing with confidence now and we’re looking forward to achieveing our goal of making the national tournament.”
If the Mustangs win on Saturday, they will advance to Sunday’s 1:00pm final against the winner of the 5:00pm Saturday Vincennes University/Frederick CC semifinal. The District winner will advance to the NJCAA Division I national tournament in Hutchinson, KS from March 16-20.
Coach Brustad’s Mustangs have won six Region championships, two District titles, and have played in the national tournament twice.
The 23-5, #15-ranked Lady Mustangs will play the women’s DII District final against 25-7, #12-ranked Jamestown CC at 3:00pm, with the winner advancing to the NJCAA DII national tournament in Peoria, Il from March 17-20.
“Moving up to Division II has meant a transition for us,” said Coach Seth Goodman. “Some of the games have been tough and now in the playoffs, they’re getting tougher. But at this point, our mostly- freshman team is beginning to really understand the opportunity they have in front of them.”
In addition to the seven Region championships and six consecutive national tournament appearances, the Lady Mustangs have won two national championships.
The entire District tournament will be hosted by Monroe at Westchester CC, in Valhalla, NY. Each tournament game will be web cast at www.cybersportsusa.com and results and box scores will be posted at www.monroecollege.edu/athletics. |