UNIONTOWN, Penn.—After a one-year hiatus, both Southern Maine Community College (SMCC) men’s and women’s basketball teams get back to Uniontown, Penn. receiving at-large bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) Division 2 Basketball National Tournament. The tournament begins Sunday, Mar. 3 following the skills competition and the championship awards banquet on Saturday, Mar. 2.
#8 Women’s Basketball vs. #9 Penn State Fayette
Sunday, March 3— 12:00 p.m.
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Scouting the Opposition
The Nittany Lions and tournament hosts from Penn State Fayette will enter play at 13-14 overall, 8-7 as a member of the Penn State University Athletic Conference (PSUAC). The Lions fell to the eventual PSUAC champions Penn State Lehigh Valley in the conference semifinal round 83-56. As a team, Fayette uses 39.5 percent shooting to average 71.6 PPG. Four average in double figures led by first-year guard Kaitlyn Riley’s 15.1 PPG on an efficient 48.4 percent from the floor. The Lions will lean on junior forward Siteri Tale as the inside presence—pulling down 10.3 REB/G and recording 1.6 BLK/G. First-year guard Dae-lin Burnsworth started and played all 27 games for Fayette this season and will be called upon to log more than 30 minutes of action. A playmaker, Burnsworth totals 3.1 AST/G and 2.3 STL/G. This the first ever meeting between the two programs—SMCC and Fayette have played no common opponents this 2018-19 season.
On the Horizon
Should the Lady SeaWolves advance, they would play the #1-seed Villa Maria College in the quarterfinal round on Monday, Mar. 4 at 4 p.m.
#4 Men’s Basketball vs. #5 Johnson & Wales (NC)
Sunday, March 3—8:00 p.m.
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Scouting the Opposition
The Wildcats from Johnson & Wales—Charlotte will enter play at 19-10 overall, a perfect 9-0 as a member of the Eastern Metro Atlantic Conference (EMAC). The Wildcats were defeated by Clinton College in the EMAC finals 77-75. As a team, Johnson & Wales uses 44.8 percent shooting to average 83.9 PPG (USCCA-7)—allowing a sizeable 82.0 PPG on the defensive end. Three average in double digits led by junior guard Robert Hobson’s 17.8 PPG, attempting 15.0 FG/G. Junior guard Majerle Poole adds to a talented backcourt scoring 14.8 PPG and leading his team in rebounding at 5.8 REB/G. Susceptible to the turnover, the Wildcats average near 18 per game. The opposition is 10-1 at home but .500 (8-8) on the road and 1-1 on neutral ground. This the first ever meeting between the two programs—SMCC and Johnson & Wales have played no common opponents this 2018-19 season.
On the Horizon
Should the SeaWolves advance, they would play the winner of #1 Berkeley College (NY) vs. #8 Central Penn College/#9 Penn State York in the semifinal round on Tuesday, Mar. 5 at 7 p.m.
Stay up to date on SMCC’s trip to Uniontown by following SeaWolves Basketball on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @SMCCseawolves.
