Ravens host Hanover in HCAC men’s tourney opener
February 25th, 2008
The Anderson University men’s basketball team will be making its 15th appearance in the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference post-season tournament as they host Hanover College on Tuesday night at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.
The first-round tournament game will be carried live on WQME 98.7 FM and the internet broadcast with tip-off set for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $5 for adults; $3 for senior citizens and children 6-18 and free for AU students, faculty and staff.
The Ravens (14-11, 10-6 HCAC) are the No. 4 seed while the Panthers (13-12, 9-7 HCAC) are the No. 5 seed. The winner will play top-seeded and host Defiance on Friday in the second semifinal game at 8 p.m.
The Ravens and Panthers split their two meetings this season with each team winning at home. Hanover defeated AU 89-75 on Jan. 9 and the Ravens returned the favor with a 61-60 decision at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium on Feb. 6.
Anderson and Hanover have played a school-most 141 times, including four times in post-season play. The Panthers lead the overall series 90-51, including 3-1 in the post-season – all four games at Hanover. AU’s only victory in the post-season came on Feb. 26, 1998 in the first round of the ICAC tournament.
The Ravens have played in 69 career post-season tournament games, including 20 since moving to NCAA Div. III in 1993. They are 31-38 overall and 6-14 in NCAA play. However, they are 14-3 overall at home, including 2-1 at O.C. Lewis Gymnasium.
They have lost their last four HCAC tournament games with their last win coming over Mt. St. Joseph 70-63 in the semifinals of the 2003 tournament at Hanover. They lost in the championship game to the Panthers 79-60. That was also their only appearance in the HCAC championship game.
The 10 wins in HCAC play this season are the most since the 1998-99 team also finished with 10 victories. The Ravens have won seven of their last eight games to finish the regular season.
Junior guard Mike Russell leads the Ravens in scoring (14.7 ppg), free throw percentage (.770) and steals (40). Sophomore forward Ryan Fultz is second in scoring (13.2 ppg) and rebounding (4.4 rpg) while senior center Keith Dabney tops the team in rebounding (5.2 rpg) and blocks (30). Freshman point guard Gabe Miller is first on the team in assists with 71 and freshman forward Andrew Jones leads the Ravens in field goal percentage (.516).
