GREENWOOD, IN – The 2010-11 HCAC men’s basketball regular season has come to a close and the action shifts to tournament play this weekend.  The winner of the six-team HCAC Tournament will earn the conference’s automatic qualifier for the NCAA Division III men’s basketball tournament.

Manchester College (19-6, 15-3 HCAC) locked up the conference’s top seed on Saturday, defeating Transylvania 79-62.  The Spartans captured the school’s first outright men’s basketball conference championship since 1998-99 with the victory and will strive for their first conference tournament title since Steve Alford was coach in 1995.

Manchester and Anderson posted a 7-3 record against the HCAC tournament field, while Hanover sported a 6-4 mark.  Transylvania and Rose-Hulman earned four wins against the qualifiers, while Bluffton tallied a 2-8 mark against their fellow competition.

The top seed Spartans are riding a nine game win streak heading into the tournament.  Manchester will take on the winner of Transylvania and Rose-Hulman Saturday night in the HCAC semifinals.  The black and gold earned a season sweep of Rose-Hulman and Transylvania this season.

Transylvania (17-8, 11-7 HCAC) has been playing quality basketball heading into the conference tournament.  The No. 4 seed Pioneers have gone 7-3 down the stretch and will look to move into the semifinals with a win over No. 5 Rose-Hulman Friday night.  The Pioneers and Engineers split the season series, with each winning on their home floor.  Rose-Hulman (16-9, 10-8 HCAC) will look to get back on track after losing three of their last five games entering the tournament.  Transy and Rose will tip at 6:00 PM Friday night at Manchester College.

Hanover (18-6, 14-4 HCAC) came within one game of conference champion Manchester in the standings and earned the No. 2 seed in this weekend’s tournament.  The Panthers saw a six game win streak come to a close Saturday at Anderson, losing an opportunity for a share of the league title and right to host the tournament.  HC will face the winner of Anderson and Bluffton in the other semifinal Saturday night at Manchester.  The Panthers earned a split with Anderson during the regular season and swept Bluffton during their two meetings.

Anderson (17-8, 13-5 HCAC) claimed the No. 3 seed and will play No. 6 Bluffton Friday night at Manchester.  The Ravens swept the Beavers (15-10, 8-10 HCAC) during the regular season and will look for their third win against Bluffton to move into the conference semis.  AU has gone 7-3 heading into tournament play, while Bluffton has lost five of their last six contests.  AU and BU will tip at 8:00 PM Friday night.

The HCAC tournament championship game will take place at 2:00 PM Sunday afternoon from Manchester College and will be broadcast live by HomeTown Sports Indiana on www.heartlandconf.tv.

Tickets will be $5.00 per session ($4.00 for students and senior citizens).  Children under the age of 11 are free.

2011 HCAC Men's Basketball Tournament Schedule
at Manchester College

Friday, Feb. 25
Game 1 - #5 Rose-Hulman vs. #4 Transylvania
6:00 PM   Live Stats / Webcast

Game 2 - #6 Bluffton vs. #3 Anderson
8:00 PM   Live Stats / Webcast

Saturday, Feb. 26
Game 3 - #2 Hanover vs. #3/6 seed
5:00 PM   Live Stats / Webcast

Game 4 - #1 Manchester vs. #4/5 seed
7:00 PM   Live Stats / Webcast

Sunday, Feb. 27
Championship - Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner
2:00 PM   Live Stats / Webcast