E8 Tournament Field Set for Men's Basketball
On the final day of the Empire 8 regular season Alfred University has clinched a berth into the post season for the first time, joining Hartwick College, Stevens Institute of Technology and Nazareth College.
Hartwick cliniched the top seed with a win over Elmira this afternoon and the advantage of the tiebreakers against Stevens and Nazareth. With all three teams tied at the top of the standings at 10-4, their record amongst each other were compared which was even at 2-2, so then the record is compared against the #4 seed which is Alfred. All three teams split against the Saxons forcing a comparison of results against #5 St. John Fisher. Hartwick defeated the Cardinals twice on the year, while Stevens and Nazareth split ultimately giving the Hawks the top seed and the right to host the 2014 E8 Tournament.
Stevens will serve as the No. 2 seed based on two regular season wins over Nazareth, while the Golden Flyers will be seeded third.
Alfred and Fisher tied with a 9-5 conference record, but the Saxons earned the No. 4 seed based on a win over #1 Hartwick during the regular season, while the Cardinals lost to the Hawks twice.
The two semifinals matches will take place on Friday, Feb. 28 at Hartwick. The two winners will meet on Saturday, March 1 in the Empire 8 Championship with the winner earning an automatic bid and advancing to the 2014 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
Friday, February 28
No. 2 Stevens v No. 3 Nazareth, 6:00 pm
No. 1 Hartwick v No. 4 Alfred, 8:00 pm
Saturday, March 1
Championship will begin at 3:00 pm