sportsbriefs

Author: Jeff Klein

Amherst representing the NESCAC in NCAA tourney

For the first time ever, the Division III men's basketball selection committee rewarded the NESCAC by sending four teams to the D-III tournament. Overall, the schools proved themselves worthy of the committee's decision.

While the Panthers bowed out in the first round to Rochester and Trinity was upset by Coast Guard (which went on to reach the Elite Eight), Bowdoin and Amherst have represented the NESCAC well. The Polar Bears received an at-large bid to the tournament - their first appearance since 1999 - and promptly routed Curry 79-49 in a first-round affair before falling to host Brandeis 68-53.

Amherst, meanwhile, has performed superbly, as usual. Last year's national champions received a bye in the first round and hosted John Jay, whom they handily defeated 96-74. Amherst's next opponent, Richard Stockton, provided a tougher test for the Lord Jeffs, but again Amherst prevailed, 85-77. And after having beaten Brandeis in the Elite Eight, 65-55, Amherst now finds itself in the Final Four again. The Jeffs will face Ursinus on Friday, March 21 in Salem, Va., for the right to go to the D-III national championship.