TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (March 23, 2018) – After completing a week full of academic final exams, the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology men's basketball team passed its first test of the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship Tournament with a thrilling 75-72 victory over Anderson University in Friday's first semifinal game in Hulbert Arena.

The Engineers (17-9) seemed to be in control of the game with a 13-point edge, 74-61, with 3:38 remaining in the game. However, the resilient visiting Ravens made three 3-point fields and a layup over the next two and a half minutes to pull within a basket inside the final minute. A free throw by John Czarnecki with four seconds remaining gave the tournament's top-seeded team the 3-point edge that would stand, as Rose-Hulman forward Charlie Aimone broke up an inbounds play on Anderson's end of the floor with less than one second remaining.

Freshman guard Craig McGee led Rose-Hulman with 20 points, making 7-of-12 field goals and 3-of-4 3-point field goals. He also added 10 assists. Czarnecki contributed 17 points and a team-high seven rebounds. The Engineers had nine players contribute to the scoring.

The No. 5-seeded Anderson (15-12) had three guards in double scoring figures, with Cole Hartman having a game-high 22 points on 10-of-12 field goals. Trevor Lucas added 17 points and nine assists, while Stanley Duncan had 12 points. Malik Lafoon came off the bench to have nine points.  

Rose-Hulman advances to play in Saturday's 4 p.m. championship game, facing the winner of the second semifinal game between No. 2 College of Mount St. Joseph and  No. 3 Hanover College.

INSIDE THE GAME

The game featured each team making offensive runs at precisely the same times of both halves. Making eight of their first 10 shots, the home-standing Engineers took an early 17-6 lead before the Ravens went on a scoring streak of their own, making four straight baskets, including three 3-point field goals. Anderson would eventually overcome the early deficit, 26-25, with 4:43 left in the first half. A 3-point field goal and layup by freshman point guard Craig McGee gave Rose-Hulman a slight 35-33 halftime advantage.

The Engineers regained their hot-shooting touch to begin the second half, moving on top 53-44 with 12:49 remaining following a layup by reserve forward Eli Combs following a pass from McGee. The hosts were firmly in control for the remainder of the period, until withstanding a scoring barrage by Anderson in the final four minutes. Rose-Hulman was on top 74-61 with 3:38 left in the game following two free throws by reserve guard Ryuji Aoki. Then, 3-pointers by guards Trevor Lucas, Cory Kreiger and Mike Peters along with a layup by Cole Hartman over the next two and a half minutes closed the gap to 74-72. The Ravens missed a field goal with five minutes left and Rose-Hulman forward John Czarnecki was fouled after grabbing the rebound. The sophomore made one of two free throws with four seconds remaining.

Anderson had one last chance to tie the game with an inbounds play on its end of the floor inside one second on the clock. However, Rose-Hulman forward Charlie Aimone intercepted the pass to seal the victory.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Rose-Hulman shot 60.9% (14-of-23) in the first half, including 57.1% (4-of-7) from beyond the 3-point circle; the team shot 53.7% (29-of-54) for the game.
• Despite falling behind at the beginning of both halves of play, Anderson made 51.8% of its field goals (29-of-54); the team made 41.7% (5-of-12) of its 3-point field goals in the second half.
• Rose-Hulman had 22 assists on 29 made field goals; Point guard Craig McGee had a game-high 10 assists – one shy of tying a personal best for his freshman season.
• Anderson had only eight turnovers in game, while Rose-Hulman had 10.
• Anderson concludes the 2017-18 season with a 15-12 record, winning five of its last six games, including a victory at Transylvania University in an opening round game earlier this week.

TOURNAMENT TIDBITS

• Rose-Hulman advances to the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championship game for the seventh time and the first since the 2016 season, when the Engineers lost to Mount St. Joseph in the finale.
• Rose-Hulman now has a 14-9 record in HCAC tournament games.
• Rose-Hulman has advanced to the championship game in all five HCAC tournaments in which the Engineers have played in the semifinal round.

WHAT'S NEXT

Rose-Hulman (17-9) advances to Saturday's 4 p.m. championship game at Hulbert Arena, playing the winner of the second semifinal contest between No. 2 Mount St. Joseph University and No. 3 Hanover College.

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