Visit the Lander University Web Site

Season Capsule:

The Lander Bearcats, 20-10 overall, will be making their fourth appearance in the NCAA national tournament after earning the Peach Belt Conference’s automatic berth.

Last Sunday, playing as the No. 1 seed in the North Division, Lander won its third PBC tournament championship by defeating Columbus State, 83-81, in the quarterfinals; Armstrong Atlantic, 60-56, in the semifinals; and No. 25 ranked Clayton State, 75-61, in the championship game. The Bearcats lost to all three of those teams during the regular season.

Lander last won the PBC tournament more than 10 years ago when the Bearcats claimed back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. In 1999, Lander earned an at-large berth into the South Atlantic Regional and advanced to the Elite Eight where the Bearcats lost to No. 1-ranked Kentucky Wesleyan, 74-69, in the first round.

The Bearcats were not expected to emerge as the 2007 PBC tournament champions after losing two-time All-PBC guard Jarred Jackson (14.7 ppg.) and starting center Scottie Smith to injuries. Jackson suffered a severe ankle sprain in the second half of the Armstrong Atlantic game, while Smith tore ligaments in his thumb in the Columbus State game.

Senior Michael Griffin earned the tournament’s MVP honors by leading the Bearcats in the championship game with 24 points, seven rebounds and seven assists. For the tournament, Griffin averaged 17.7 ppg. and shot 40 percent from the field. In addition to Griffin, freshmen Curtis Milner (8 points, 7 rebounds, 3 blocks against Clayton State) and Dane Sparrow (10.1 ppg. in the tournament) help pick up the slack. Junior Zach Evans joined Griffin on the PBC all-tournament team after averaging 11 ppg. in the tournament, including 16 points in the championship game. Lander’s 20-win season is its first since the 1999-2000 season’s record of 21-9.

Men's Basketball Roster: