Matchup

The no. 13 nationally ranked Mount Union men's basketball team will take on Washington & Jefferson in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball tournament on Friday, March 6 at 3:15 p.m. at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Va.

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The Purple Raiders enter the contest with a 23-3 overall record and a 14-2 record in Ohio Athletic Conference play, they also got off to a 16-0 start which was the best in program history, breaking a record that had stood since the 1925-26 season. This marks the sixth NCAA Tournament appearance in program history, where the Raiders have an 11-4 record including three Sweet 16 appearances and a run to the National Championship game in 2023.

They are led by a pair of First Team All-OAC selections in junior Elijah Farrington (Massillon / Massillon Washington) and sophomore Chance Casenhiser (Uniontown / Lake), Farrington was also named the OAC Player of the Year after averaging 15.5 points per game and 8.2 rebounds and helping lead the Raiders to an OAC Regular Season Title. Casenhiser led Mount Union in scoring this season and was third in the conference averaging 17.5 points per game.

Junior Kevin Hamilton (Akron / St. Vincent St. Mary) and senior Kevin Moore (Youngstown / Campbell Memorial) were also All-OAC selections both earing Honorable Mention, Hamilton averaged 12.3 points per game and led the team in assists with 3.6 per game, Moore averaged 8.9 points per game and led the team in three-point percentage, shooting 39.7-percent. Moore alongside junior Shaun Vaden (Cleveland / Cornerstone Christian) lead the Mount Union defense that held opponents to just 69.8 points per game this season. Vaden was also named the OAC Defensive Player of the Year after breaking the school record for single game blocks with eight earlier this season and single season blocks with 88 and counting. He also currently ranks third in the nation in both blocks and blocks per game.

The Presidents enter the contest with a 22-6 overall record and went 12-4 in Presidents' Athletic Conference play and captured the PAC Tournament Title to earn an automatic bid into this year's tournament. This will be the fourth NCAA Tournament appearance for Washington & Jefferson, and its second in five years.

Washington & Jefferson is led by Nathan Plotner who averages 14.3 points per game, followed by a trio who all averages right around 11 points per game in Alex Acosta, Matt Seidl and Matthew Carte. Plotner also leads the Presidents on the defensive end as he leads the team in blocks with 73 and is tied with Seidl for the team lead in steals with 60.

Previous Matchups

This will mark the first time that Mount Union and Washington & Jefferson have met in postseason play. They have met seven previous times with the Raiders holding a slight 4-3 edge; however, this will be their first matchup since 1988.

• 1939 – Mount Union 29, Washington & Jefferson 39
• 1949 – Mount Union 48, Washington & Jefferson 38
• 1984 – Mount Union 79, Washington & Jefferson 87
• 1985 – Mount Union 69, Washington & Jefferson 76
• 1986 – Mount Union 85, Washington & Jefferson 69
• 1987 – Mount Union 72, Washington & Jefferson 62
• 1988 – Mount Union 72, Washington & Jefferson 53

Up next…

The winner will advance to the Second Round of the NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament where they will take on the winner of the other First Round game taking place on Friday between host Christopher Newport and Stevens on Saturday, March 7 at 5:45 p.m.