#13 Harcum Rips #20 CSI In Tourney’s First Blowout
Hutchinson, KS – Harcum had several plane changes, mixed in with a couple of layovers in route to participate at this year’s national tournament. Finally, after double digit hours of travel, and picking up a hour of time zone change, they made it. And if you ask Head Coach Drew Kelly, I believe he would tell you it was worth every minute of it.
The Bears wasted little time jumping out to a 11-2 lead, and then coasted to a 47-29 halftime cushion. Harcum led by as much as 18 in the first stanza, and by 29 at one time in the second, before closing out the Golden Eagles 92-65.
Harcum moves to 31-2, and advances to the round of sixteen. Next up for the Bears is a match-up with #4 Seed John A. Logan College on Wednesday, March 16 at Noon CST.
College of Southern Idaho, 24-9, was making their second straight appearance at Hutch. And for the second straight year, had their season end after their first game. Not the expectations the Golden Eagles are accustomed too.
The Bears from Bryn Mawr, PA, led from the tip, ended with five players in double digits. Louis Bleechmore topped the charts a game high 18. Mohamed Wague added 17 with 8 boards, Tre Denkins went for 15 and 7 rebounds. Derrius Ward and Yazid Powell finished with 13 and 10. Powell tossed out 7 dimes along the way.
CSI received a 15 point, six rebound game from Taelon Martin, and a baker’s dozen (13) from Robert Whaley. Jakari Livingston found the bottom of the net for 12.
The Eagles, one of the top programs in the history of The Tournament, had made 26 previous visits to Hutch for the tourney. Second most among the 24 team field. The Eagles own 3 national championships and three runners-up finishes.
Meanwhile, Harcum was making their third appearance on Sam Butterfield Court, the first since 2016. The Bears were a final four team in 2014.
