Falcons Headed to Fifth NCAA Tournament
AUGUSTA, Ga. – The University of Montevallo men's basketball team (23-7) is headed to its fifth NCAA Tournament in the past seven seasons this week as they travel to Augusta State University in Augusta, Georgia to take part in the Southeast Region Tournament. The Falcons will face the Mount Olive College (25-5) in the first round.
The Falcons head into the tournament with a 10-4 record all-time in NCAA Tournament action. The Falcons first appeared in the NCAA postseason in 2004 when they went 2-1 and fell in the South Region Final. UM traveled to Valdosta, Ga. To take part in the South Region Tournament and opened up the regional with an upset win over host Valdosta State University, 56-49. UM then took down Henderson State 78-57. The regional final pitted the Falcons against Rollins College. UM fell 75-63.
UM returned to the NCAA Tournament the very next season as they hosted the South Regional. UM opened the tournament with a 74-48 dominating win over Barry University. The Falcons then took on Eckerd College and won 65-62. UM’s season came to an end in the South Region final once again as they fell to Lynn University 67-54.
The Falcons third-straight trip to the NCAA tournament came in 2006 as they traveled to Cleveland, Miss. to compete in their third NCAA South Regional. UM opened up the tournament with a 69-59 win over Benedict College. The Falcons then faced Rollins in the semifinals and won 81-68. The final was against Arkansas-Monticello. UM won 89-86 in overtime and overcame a 17-point deficit in the second half. UM’s first trip to the Elite Eight pitted the Falcons against Seattle Pacific. SPU won 79-65.
UM’s most recent trip to the NCAA Tournament came in 2007. The Falcons hosted the South Region Tournament and advanced to the Elite Eight for the second-straight year in dramatic fashion. UM opened up the tournament with a 78-62 victory over Albany State. The Falcons then went to overtime with Henderson State and won 66-52 but the most dramatic game was saved for last.
A near half court shot by Marcus Kennedy went through the net at the buzzer to lift the University of Montevallo to a 64-61 victory over Eckerd College in the championship game of the 2007 NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball South Regional. The shot would later be featured on ESPN as the No. 2 Top Ten Play of the Day.
UM’s dream trip came to an end in the Elite Eight as Central Missouri handed the Falcons a 86-69 loss.
This will be the Falcons first trip to the Southeast Region Tournament. The Falcons have never lost a quarterfinal or semifinal game in the NCAA Tournament.
Tickets are available for purchase online or at the door. Tickets are $10 per session. The Falcons play in the first session on day one (March 13).
UM will take on Mount Olive College on Saturday, March 13 at 2:30 (EST).
 |  |
