march mQdnep Inle C s Row les The Bison basketball team stir red up an outbreak of spring fever on campus in the form of March Mad ness. The Bisons (21-9) made their first trip to the NCAA Division II National Tournament inOrland@, Fla., but lost 59-67 to Henderson State Unj versity in the first round Ma rch 14. Despite the loss, coach jeffMorgan said the trip to the "Little Big Dance" was exciting . "It's an awesome feeling," he said. "It's opening doors for OUf program. I'm really excited for this group of players." Hard ing and Henderson State met twice d uring the regular season, when the Reddies handed the Bisons losses Feb. 1 and March 1. At the Gulf South Conference TQurnament, Hardi ng and Henderson State hooked up for a thi rd time in the semifinals Ma rch 8, where Henderson came out with a 50-47 win. Senior point guard AaronParley,Harding's leading scorer and the GSC-West Player of the Yea r, said making it to nationals was a culm.i– nation of fou r years of work. "It's a d ream come true for me and my teamma tes," Farley said. "We've been work– ing on it for four yea rs." Farley averaged 18.6 points per game and shot a school season record of 93.8 percent "I try to get an important pregame meal from Lenny's . Then I just stretch and listen to music to clear my head of everything except the game. I've finally got to go over my plan to defeat the other team," • • 260 athletics from the free-throw line. Fa rley's streak of consecutive free throws, which started last season, ended jan.30at 88.The streak, which harvested national media attention, was the longest in the nation for the year and was 10 short of the national record. "It was something unexpected ," Farley said . "1didn't pay attention until the media took it over. " Seniors jason Malek, Chris Campbell,Carl Vault and Regimantas Butvyd as also helped lead the Bisons. Morgan was p roud of the leadership that the five seniors provided. "Those guys have done an awesome job," Morgan said. "They're aU competitive and worked ha rd ." Junior Darren McCrillis agreed . "They are a great group ofguys," McCrillis said . "They lead us every d ay in practice and on the floor during games." Teamwork and great chemistry proved to be the major factor in the team's success. "It's great to havea team like this," Farley said. "Not only talent-wise but wi th the team chemistry. That has a lot to do with the suc– cess we've had ." -Cody Usher Junior Chad Ware dunks the ball during a scrimmage at Mid– night Madness in the Rhodes Field House Oct. 14. Midnight Mad– ness was the first official day of practice for the basketball teams and a time to show off forthe Rhodes Rowdies. (Photo by LindseyTaliaferro) Montevallo Win 105-84 Alabama-Huntsville Win 83-80 Arkansas Baptist Win 111-75 Central Baptist Win 96-59 Montevallo Win 95-66 Southwest Baptist Win 87-61 Louisiana Tech Loss 55· 76 Fort Valley State Loss 86-87 Lane Win 107-64 Arkansas-Little Rock Loss 80-82 Delta State Loss 66-67; Win 90-71 Philander Smith Win 106-72; Win 84-71 Arkansas-Monticello Win 88-67; Win 84-71 Southern Arkansas Win 95-71; Win 98-73 Central Arkansas Win 105-97; Win 105-74 Christian Brothers Win 85-80; Win 107-101 Ouachita Baptist Win 82-78; Win 94-72 Arkansas Tech Win 91-66; Win 94-71 Henderson State Loss 75-84; Loss 47-50 Gulf South Conference Tournament N. Alabama Win 88-66 Henderson State Loss 47·50 NCAA Tournament Henderson State Loss 59-67 (Photo by Lindsey Taliaferro)
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