GREENWOOD, IN - Four of the six spots in the upcoming HCAC men's basketball tournament have been clinched with four games remaining on the schedule. Rose-Hulman, Defiance, Hanover, and Mount St. Joseph all secured a spot in the upcoming event last week.
Hanover College earned a spot with a pair of road wins last week. The Panthers (14-7, 10-4 HCAC) beat Franklin and Earlham to clinch a spot, but still trail first place Rose-Hulman by two games in the standings.
In an 80-65 win at Franklin Thursday, junior center Desmond Marks (Bloomington, Ind./South) led the way with 18 points and eight rebounds.
Hanover capped the week with an 80-44 win at Earlham Saturday. Sophomore forward V.J. Billups (Jeffersonville, Ind./H.S.) led all scorers with 23 points and six rebounds.
Hanover will travel to first place Rose-Hulman Wednesday night prior to a home game against Anderson Saturday.
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Rose-Hulman (17-4, 12-2 HCAC) maintained its lead in the standings with two wins last week. The Engineers beat Earlham and Manchester on the road to run their win streak to five-straight and keep a one-game lead over Defiance in the standings.
Senior guard Julian Strickland (Indianapolis, Ind./Pike) tallied the eighth 40-point game in Rose-Hulman history Saturday at Manchester. Strickland scored a career-high 41 points with seven rebounds and four assists in an 85-65 win over the Spartans.
Defiance (16-5, 11-3 HCAC) remained one game back in the race for a conference championship following a pair of wins last week. The Yellow Jackets won at Anderson 68-57 and posted a 76-65 win over Mount St. Joseph.
Junior guard Travis Schomaeker (Ottawa, Ohio/Ottawa-Glandorf) notched personal bests of 30 points, six triples, and eight assists against the Lions.
Mount St. Joseph (12-8, 9-5 HCAC) locked up a spot in the HCAC tournament despite a 1-1 record last week. The Lions beat Transylvania prior to an 11-point setback at Defiance Saturday. The Lions stand three games back with four to play in the championship race.
For a complete recap of Week 13 in HCAC Men's Basketball, click here