RELEASE DATE: 3/03/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTIES STILL RANK SIXTH IN EAST REGIONAL POLL – FINAL SELECTION TO BE MADE THIS SUNDAY

MANSFIELD – Less then 24 hours after suffering a disappointing loss to Kutztown University in the opening round of the PSAC Championship playoffs, the Mansfield University men’s basketball team had their hopes for a NCAA East Regional berth rekindled by remaining in sixth place in the East Regional Poll released this afternoon.

The top eight teams in the regional will advance to the NCAA Division II East Regional Tournament. Although the loss to Kutztown was not included in this week’s poll, the Mountaineers are just ahead of CVAC schools Queens (NC) and Mount Olive (NC). Both of those teams will be playing tonight in the CVAC playoff with Mt. Olive hosting Erskine and Queens hosting Coker.

“We’re still in the hunt,” said head coach Vince Alexander. “But we need some help. We’re hoping all the teams that are supposed to win their conference playoff do so and right now that about all we can do.”

Ninth ranked District of Columbia is an independent whose regular season is completed. All the other ranked teams are competing in the PSAC, WVIAC or CVAC. All three conferences are hosting their playoffs this weekend.

EAST Regional 2/29/04  

1.            Pfeiffer                                                25-2
2.            California ( Pennsylvania )                  22-5
3.            West Virginia State                           22-5
4.            Cheyney                                              21-6
5.            Alderson-Broaddus                           21-6
6.            Mansfield                                             21-6
7.            Queens ( North Carolina )                   20-7
8.            Mount Olive                                          21-6
9.            District of Columbia                            18-9
10.          Concord                                               21-6