PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The University of Maine at Presque Isle men’s basketball team has been selected as the ninth seed in the USCAA National Tournament. This will be the Owls’ first time participating in the tournament.
The team and a contingent of staff and faculty gathered in the office of athletic director and head men’s basketball coach Mike Holmes last Wednesday morning to listen to the selection show. Everyone present waited anxiously as the Div. II teams were announced. When the Owls’ seeding was announced, a collective cheer, accompanied with a sigh of relief, was let out.
“I am thrilled for our players and close followers of our program that we will have the opportunity to represent Presque Isle on a national stage,” said Holmes about the opportunity. “The players earned the privilege by going through a very difficult schedule and earning big wins against key opponents.
“Now we have the task of seeing beyond the joy of qualifying and attempting to advance deep into the tournament,” he added.
The Owls, with a 13-11 record, will play their first game of the tournament tonight against St. Joseph’s College of Vermont (20-9). The tournament will be played on the campus of Penn State Fayette and that game will tip off at 8 p.m. The winner of that matchup will face the No. 1 seeded Berkeley College of New York (21-1) at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 3. The loser of the first game will enter a consolation bracket and play at 1:15 p.m. on Thursday, March 3.