UMHB edged by Millsaps

The men’s basketball team led for the majority of the NCAA Division III National Championship second round game March 8, but fell behind in the remaining seconds of the matchup against the Millsaps College Majors, ending the night with a 57-56 loss.

For some fans, UMHB’s lead appeared to be a ticket into the Sweet 16, but the heartbreaking defeat closed out the team’s most triumphant season, 26-4.

Head coach for the Majors Tim Wise said the win over the Crusaders was a victory the team did not expect to accomplish in the final two seconds of the matchup.

“We had one lead in the game, and they certainly played well enough to win. They played better than we did and deserved to win,” he said. “I feel for Coach DeWeese. They have an excellent team, and I feel for those players. But its sports, and the essence, to me, is execution under pressure. Sometimes you’re just fortunate.”

Despite the loss, Crusader senior guard Neiman Ford is appreciative to leave the university with a memorable season finish.

“I had a great time this year. I had a great time ever since I came to UMHB,” he said. “Coach took me in and taught me a lot of things on and off the court. I love the school. I love playing for the school. I wish I could have gone out on a better note, but it is what it is, and you just got to move forward.”

Regardless of the loss, the team and its supporters have much to be proud of.

The men finish the season not only with a new school single season record, but with another championship title in hand.

Freshman forward Colby Waller said, “It’s really exciting to win the west side. We were expecting a lot out of ourselves this year and we knew if we played like we were capable of playing that this would be our reward.”

Prior to the tournament matchup against Concordia University, Waller said he looked forward to the advantage the team would have going up against the Tornados in the March 2 game in familiar surroundings and it proved to be beneficial to the team as the players walked away with another ASC Championship Title. 

“This is a huge advantage, playing on our home court with all of our fans being able to come to the game. The last couple of home games we had a little more than a thousand people. So I’m really excited to see how many (fans) we get to come.”

Loyal Cru basketball fan Laura Williams said the team’s successful record is proof that the players and coaches deserved the win against Concordia.

“They’ve worked hard and despite injuries and tough games, they have proven themselves to be a team to be reckoned with. Tournament play can be hard and when you’re seeded number one, everyone’s going to be gunning for you.”

Junior guard Tim Lytle went into the game with certainty the players would do well.

“I can say this for the whole team when I say I’m feeling very confident.”

He said, like teammate Waller, he too was excited about the home court advantage they had going into the tournament on UMHB grounds.

“To be honest our students are the loudest and most consistent fans in our region. People hate to play here.”

Junior guard Matt Caskey said the most rewarding part of the victory over the Concordia Tornados was going into the playoffs with the same momentum they finished the regular season.    

“The best part was starting off the post season the way that we finished off the regular season,” he said. “We knew it was big to be hosting the tournament so that made us want to win it even more. Getting the ring wasn’t bad either.”

He said despite all the hard work the players and coaches put in, the support from fans and their faith in the team contributed significantly to its conference victory.

“(It) has been great all year and to win it in front of everyone was unbelievable. I just want to thank everyone for their support, it has been great and having everyone behind us like they have been has made it all the more exciting and enjoyable.”