By Brandy Thurston
(Morrisville, NY – Feb. 20, 2013) The Morrisville State College men’s basketball team finished atop the North Division of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC) standings for the second straight year, earned the right to host the 2012-13 championship tournament, and will meet conference rival Penn State Harrisburg (12-14, 8-7 NEAC) in the semifinal round scheduled for Saturday, February 23 on the Morrisville State campus.
The Mustangs closed out the regular season with a 19-5 overall record, 13-2 in conference play, and is vying for a second conference title and automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament.
Morrisville State enters the game seeking revenge from an early February conference loss to the Nittany Lions, in which their 12-game win streak was snapped. In the contest, Harrisburg’s William Doyle lit up the scoreboard, draining seven from downtown, while the Mustangs had just two reach double figures. Rhamel Williams (Bronx, N.Y.) and Jordan Prior (Cortland, N.Y.) posted 11 and 10 points, respectively, in their efforts.
Morrisville State enters the contest averaging 79.2 points per game, while Penn State Harrisburg puts up 71.9 on average per contest.
The Mustangs and Nittany Lions met last season in the championship final, in which Morrisville State edged Harrisburg 76-72.
The tip is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the STUAC Gymnasium on the Morrisville State campus and will be followed by the day’s second semi-final featuring South Division regular season champion, Penn State Berks, against Wells College at 4 p.m.
Tickets are available the day of the game for $5 per adult, $2 for students with college ID, military personnel and senior citizens. Children 12 and under will be admitted free.
For more tournament information, contact the office of sports information at 315-684-6250.