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Men's Basketball Enters Second Round of Divisional Play (February 7, 2008)
The Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference basketball teams
have reached the halfway point through its double-round
robin league schedule. After an exciting first half, the
teams have six divisional games left and will set their
sights on capturing one of eight playoff spots. The top remaining seed in the Eastern Division will host the semifinals and finals, slated for Friday, March 7 and Saturday, March 8. The PSAC has three teams representing the conference in the latest NCAA II East Region rankings with Edinboro ranked second, Millersville sixth and California seventh. California sits in first place atop the Western Division with a perfect 6-0 record. Edinboro remains one game back with a 5-1 record as the Fighting Scots only loss came at California. IUP is still within striking distance and Clarion is right in the mix for a playoff berth. In the East, Cheyney and Kutztown are tied at the top of the division with identical 5-1 records. Millersville has two divisional loses and sits in third place with a 4-2 record while Mansfield is right there at 3-3. The conference has been highly competitive to this point and the way things look it will continue to impress fans for the next month and into the PSAC tournament.
Eastern Division
The Cheyney Wolves sit atop the Eastern division with a 5-1 record and a 13-6 overall record. The Wolves downed Kutztown 81-75 in the head-to-head battle between the two teams at the top of the East division. Cheyney also beat the East Region's sixth-ranked Millersville Marauders in impressive fashion with a 72-42 victory. Cheyney's only loss came in a sensational double-overtime game against East Stroudsburg that ended in an 88-85 defeat. The Wolves own the division's top ranked scoring defense, holding opponents to 62.6 points per game. The Wolves are led by top scorer Robbie Simpson, who averages 14.2 points per game.
Kutztown's offense has been productive, averaging 77.2 points per game. The average is good enough for the conferences second best mark. Kutztown's top scorers are Stephen Dennis (17.6 ppg) and Dave Ben (16.6 ppg). The duo has led the Golden Bears past five of the six teams in the East and they look to avenge the home loss to Cheyney in the second half of the season and make another trip to the PSAC tournament.
Millersville is in third place in the East with a 4-2 record and is also ranked sixth in the East Region. The Marauders have had two road losses to Kutztown and Cheyney, but look to return the favor as the two teams travel to the Ville. Millersville is the defending PSAC Tournament Champion and lost in the East Region to eventual National Champion Barton in 2007. The Marauders are led by leading scorer Reggie Bates (19.8 ppg) and 2007 PSAC East Athlete of the Year Charlie Parker.
East Stroudsburg's three divisional losses have been by a combined six points. Three of the Warrior's six division games have went into overtime, an 88-85 win against Cheyney, an 83-81 loss to Mansfield, and a 68-66 loss to Millersville. The Warriors also dropped a 58-56 decision to West Chester.
Western Division
California earned the top spot with a perfect 6-0 record and a 71-64 victory over previously undefeated and the East Region's second-ranked team in Edinboro. The Vulcans are currently ranked seventh in the East Region and with the win look to move up. California holds the division's second best offense (74.5 points per game) and defense (64.2 points allowed per game). A year ago California earned the right to host the PSAC Championship, but fell to Cheyney in the semifinals.
Edinboro's division record was flawless until they met up with also unbeaten California. California came out on top 71-64. The game was played at California and Edinboro looks to return the favor in front of the home crowd. Joseph Jones averages 17 points a game to lead the West's best offense, which averages 76 points per game.
IUP has had two defeats in divisional play and both have come at the hands of the two top teams. However, after an impressive 70-57 win on the road at Lock Haven to close out the first half of divisional play, the team will work to keep a hold on a playoff spot and move up the ladder. IUP has held teams to a conference best 61.8 points per game. The IUP defense and 2007 PSAC West Rookie of the Year Gerald Brooks will look to work together and make a run at its first league title since 2004.
Clarion is still in the hunt for a playoff position, but it's going to be a difficult road for the Golden Eagles. Clarion's three division losses have come at the hands of the three teams ahead of them in the standings (California 70-60, Edinboro 94-68, and IUP 61-56). The bright side for the Golden Eagles is that they will be at home to try and avenge all three of the losses. Clarion will look to improve on the division's second best shooting average (.467).
Other Top Performers
Scoring Billy Arre-Lock Haven 21.4 Darryl Webb-IUP 16.8 Kenneth St. George-WCU 16.7 Nick Jones-Bloom 16.6
Rebounds Ryan McClemore-Edin 11.6 Darryl Web-IUP 8.8 Lenwood Greenwood 8.8
Assists Pat Fluery-ESU 5.3 Darnell Johnson-SRU 4.9
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