From Emory University Athletics
The Emory men's basketball team will serve as a host site
for this weekend's (Mar. 6-7) opening rounds of the 2015 NCAA
Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
Emory, ranked 15th nationally, will battle Spalding
University in a first-round matchup on Friday, with that contest
scheduled for a 7:30 pm tip. Prior to the Emory-Spalding
game, LaGrange College and Whitworth University will get things
started at 5:30 pm. The two winners advance to Saturday's
second-round battle which will tip at 7:00 pm.
Emory, 20-5 overall, is making its third straight and
fourth-ever appearance in the NCAA D-III Tournament. The Eagles
earned a spot in the postseason after capturing the University
Athletic Association title, finishing league play with a 10-4
mark.
Spalding University, a member of the St. Louis Intercollegiate
Athletic Conference (SLIAC) meets Emory with an overall slate of
18-9. The Golden Eagles shared the regular season SLIAC
championship and then defeated Fontbonne, 58-51, in the league's
tournament title game. Emory is 1-0 all-time vs. Spalding,
registering a 67-53 triumph over the Golden Eagles in the 2013-14
season opener that was played at Birmingham Southern.
Whitworth, champions of the Northwest Conference, is making its
ninth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament. Whitworth defeated
Lewis & Clark, 69-58, in the NWC tournament championship game
on Saturday night. The Pirates are ranked
16th nationally and have won their last seven
games, boosting the team's overall record to 24-3.
LaGrange, 17-11, won its second straight USA South Conference
Tournament crown, battling to three straight victories to advance
to the postseason. LaGrange will meet Whitworth with
victories in eight of its last nine outings. The Panthers
finished the regular season with a 7-7 effort in conference
play.
Schedule of Games (all times are Eastern)
Friday, Mar. 6
5:30 pm – LaGrange vs. Whitworth
7:30 pm – Spalding vs. Emory
Saturday, Mar. 7
7:00 pm – LaGrange/Whitworth winner vs.
Spalding/Emory winner