SALEM, Va. – Fresh off a pair of thrilling NCAA Tournament victories last weekend at Christopher Newport University, the 20
th-ranked Roanoke College men's basketball team will face Catholic University Friday at 4:15 p.m. in the NCAA Round of 16 at Trinity College (Hartford, Conn.).
Game information:
Friday, March 14, 4:15 p.m.
No. 20 Roanoke vs. Catholic at Trinity College (Ray Oosting Gymnasium)
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How the Maroons got here:
The Maroons rallied from 18 points down in the second half Friday afternoon in the first round to post a 71-70 victory over Pfeiffer University. Senior guard
Joshua McClary, the Old Dominion Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year, knocked down two free throws with 2.6 seconds left to turn a one-point deficit into the winning margin.
The shoe was on the other foot Saturday as No. 12 CNU trailed Roanoke by 17 in the second half but tied the game in the closing seconds. McClary was again the hero, hitting a 15-foot jumper from the elbow with 4.4 seconds left to put RC ahead 77-75. The Roanoke defense held the Captains on the other end to seal the victory.
About Catholic:
The Cardinals are 24-5 and earned a trip to the Sweet 16 with victories over Franklin & Marshall (84-50) and Randolph-Macon (79-67) on its home court in the first two rounds. Senior guard Dan Buckley scored 22 points against F&M while senior swingman Sean Neylon netted a game-high 19 vs. the Yellow Jackets.
Last Time:
Catholic bested the Maroons 99-72 on Dec. 29, 2023 in Washington, D.C. McClary scored 21 points for Roanoke while
Zach Rosenthal delivered 20.
2024-25 Season:
*The last time the Maroons advance to the Sweet 16 was in the 1995-96 season.
*With a 25-5 record overall, Roanoke has its most wins in a season since 1993-94 (26-2).
*McClary also earned ODAC First-Team honors, while
Marcus Morgan was named to the second team.
Next Time:
*Trinity faces Western New England at 7:15 p.m. Friday, with that winner facing the Roanoke/Catholic winner Saturday at 7:15 p.m. for the right to advance to the Final Four.
