Preview

CAPE COD, Mass. - The match-up for the 2008 ECAC Division II Men's Basketball Championship Presented by FieldTurf Tarkett is set, and it will be Post University traveling to Saint Vincent College on Saturday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m.

Post finished the regular season with a 14-14 overall record, 10-6 in Central Atlantic Collegiate Conference action.  Saint Vincent compiled a 21-4 overall record this season, going a perfect 12-0 on their home court.

2008 ECAC Division II Men's Basketball Championship
Presented by FieldTurf Tarkett

Championship Game - Saturday, March 15
Saint Vincent College 86, Post University 77 Box Score

Championship Game Recap

The Bearcats wrapped up the 2007-08 season with an 86-77 victory over visiting Post University in the ECAC Division-II Championship.

Post came out strong, opening up a 5-0 lead in the first minute of play, but after Joey Butler singlehandedly tied the game 5-5, the visiting Eagles never led again.

SVC went on a 13-point run to make it a 21-8 game, cappted by four straight points from Mike Medved.   The Bearcats held off a couple of challenges from Post and took a 38-29 lead into the halftime break.

The Eagles scored quickly at the start of the second half to make it 38-31.  The teams traded baskets over the next couple of minutes, but a three-pointer by Post's Garvin McAlister cut the Bearcat lead to just four, 44-40, then a bucket by Peter Lawal made it a 2-point game.

SVC fought back in a hurry, with three-pointers by Butler, BJ McGill and Ian McCollough that made it 55-43.  Later, a fadeaway by McCollough put SVC up 60-49 with 12:10 left.

Post scored the game's next six points to make it 60-55, but another trey by Butler ended the run and put the hosts back up by eight.  The game then became a battle of free throws, and SVC held a 66-62 lead with 5:40 to play.  Post's Omar Robinson once again made it a 2-point game with a score at the 5:17 mark, 66-64, but SVC hit four straight free throws to extend the lead to six.

SVC held a 72-67 advantage with three minutes left, but the Eagles' Spencer Smith hit a three-pointer that cut the gap to just two.  However, with 2:26 to go, McCollough hit a key three that put SVC up by five.  Post's shooters then went cold, and SVC hit several free throws in the game's final minutes to ice the victory.

All five Bearcat starters scored in double figures, led by game MVP Ian McCollough, who tallied 25.  Butler added 20, while McGill scored 11.  Medved and Billy Bains each added 10.  Senior Jim Ewing, who along with McCollough was making his final appearance in green and gold, added 5 points.

McCollough grabbed 9 rebounds, while Butler added 8.  Butler also added 5 assists and 4 steals.

For Post (14-15), AJ Reitter scored a game-high 27 points, while Omar Robinson had 12 boards.  Post out-rebounded SVC 50-40 on the night.   

The win gives the Bearcats their first ECAC title in team history, and it sealed an undefeated season in the Robert S. Carey Center for SVC, as it won all 13 games on its home floor.  The Bearcats finished with a 22-4 overall record.

(Courtesy of Saint Vincent College Sports Information)