By Don Owen
NKyTribune reporter
They moved up to No. 1 in the NCAA Division III national poll on Monday, and also learned they would be hosting the opening two rounds of the NCAA Tournament this weekend at the Connor Convocation Center.
In addition, the unbeaten Saints of Thomas More University were matched against former Presidents’ Athletic Conference rival Saint Vincent (Pa.) in Friday’s first-round game at 7 p.m. Unbeaten Thomas More — which captured the American Collegiate Athletic Association Tournament championship last weekend — takes a 27-0 record into the NCAA Division III Tournament, while Saint Vincent is 23-4.
Friday’s game is a rematch from earlier this season, when Thomas More posted an 82-46 victory at Saint Vincent. The other first-round game on Friday features Trine (Ind.) meeting Emory (Ga.) at 5 p.m.
Madison Temple leads Thomas More in scoring (23.7 per game), rebounding (7.1 rpg), assists (155) and steals (78).
The two winners from Friday will play at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday for the right to advance to next week’s sectional semifinals.
Thomas More is led by senior guard Madison Temple, who was named this season’s ACAA Player of the Year. She leads the team in scoring (23.7 per game), rebounding (7.1 rpg), assists (155) and steals (78).
Temple is shooting 62 percent from the field, including 44.4 percent from 3-point range. The Cincinnati native also holds the all-time career scoring (2,048) and assists (553) records at Thomas More.
Senior forward Shelby Rupp was also named first team All-ACAA this season, averaging 11.5 points and 6.8 rebounds per game. In addition, Rupp has blocked 33 shots and recorded 34 steals. She is also shooting 60 percent from the field.
Junior forward Emily Schultz earned second team All-ACAA honors. She is averaging 10.8 points and 5.5 rebounds per game. Schultz has blocked 32 shots, dished out 47 assists and has 23 steals. She is also shooting 67.9 percent from the field.
Thomas More’s Jeff Hans earned ACAA Coach of the Year honors after guiding the Saints to the No. 1 ranking in NCAA Division III and a 27-0 record. Hans collected his 200th career victory during the Saints’ ACAA semifinal triumph last week and has a 201-11 career record (.948 winning percentage).
A year ago, Thomas More advanced to the NCAA Division III Final Four.
Ticket prices for this weekend will be $7 for adults and $4 for senior citizens and students, while children ages 2 and under are free. Thomas More will have presale of its ticket allotment on Thursday from 2 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. inside the athletic department office at the Connor Convocation Center. Doors will open on Friday at 4 p.m. and on Saturday at 5 p.m.
NCAA Division III Tournament
at Thomas More University
Friday, March 1
Trine (Ind.) vs. Emory (Ga.), 5 p.m.
Thomas More vs. Saint Vincent (Pa.), 7 p.m.
Saturday, March 2
Trine/Emory winner vs. Thomas More/Saint Vincent winner, 6:30 p.m.
