Mar 9, 2007 - 8:43 AM
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Bucknell and Holy Cross clearly were the class of the Patriot League this season. It seems only fitting that one of these two schools will punch the conference's ticket to the NCAA Tournament.
The Bison shoot for their third consecutive NCAA Tournament bid Friday when they visit the Crusaders in the Patriot League championship game in Worcester, Massachusetts.
It marks the third straight year that these teams have met in the conference's title contest.
Two years ago, Bucknell upset the top-seeded Crusaders and went on to shock the college basketball world in the NCAA Tournament, ousting third-seeded Kansas in the first round to record the Patriot League's first win in the event.
The Bison cruised to another NCAA berth last season after routing Holy Cross, 74-59, in Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.
Bucknell overcame a slow start this season and enters Friday's showdown riding a 14-game winning streak, including Sunday's 68-47 victory over Army in the conference semifinals.
Chris McNaughton scored 23 points to pace the Bison (22-8), who went 13-1 in conference play to lock up the second seed.
Bucknell's last loss was in Worcester on January 12, as Holy Cross avoided squandering a double-digit lead to post a 65-60 victory.
The top-seeded Crusaders are coming off another outstanding season under coach Ralph Willard, who was named the Patriot League Coach of the Year for the third time since 2001.
Holy Cross (24-8) also went 13-1 in conference play and fell into a season split with the Bison after dropping a 48-45 contest in Lewisburg on February 9. But the Crusaders earned the No. 1 seed thanks to a higher RPI.
While Bucknell cruised into Friday's final, Holy Cross had to battle for a 55-53 triumph over American on Sunday.
Tim Clifford scored 19 points while Torey Thomas had 16 points, nine rebounds and six assists for the Crusaders. Patriot League MVP Keith Simmons added 11 points for Holy Cross, which has won 17 of its last 19 games.
The Crusaders last reached the NCAA Tournament in 2003, their third consecutive tourney berth. Holy Cross is 19-25 all-time against Bucknell, which has won seven of the last nine meetings between the schools. So far, 14 automatic bids have been awarded.
The entire 65-team field will be announced by the NCAA Selection Committee on Sunday.
