Top seeds don't necessarily sprout into NCAA tournament berths. Ask the Towson State men's basketball team.
The Tigers, regular-season champions of the Big South, lost in the conference tournament in Charleston, S.C., last night, falling to Liberty, 63-58, in the semifinals. The defeat most likely ended their bid to enter the 64-team NCAA field.
However, Loyola's hopes are alive. The Greyhounds, a fifth seed, advanced to the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference semifinals by winning their tournament opener.
Towson State was down by three with 10 seconds left when Liberty's Peter Aluma blocked a shot by the Tigers' Michael Keyes. Towson argued that the block was goaltending, but there was no call.
Loyola continued its turnaround from a two-win season with its 15th victory and the Greyhounds' first postseason triumph since 1987.
Loyola needed overtime to do it, defeating St. Peter's, 87-80, at Knickerbocker Arena in Albany, N.Y. Next for the Greyhounds is top-seeded Canisius in the MAAC semifinals today at 6 p.m.
In the MAAC women's tournament, Loyola advanced to the final with 74-61 victory over St. Peter's. Loyola faces Fairfield today, with the winner getting a berth in the NCAA tournament.
Maryland may have won a spot in the women's NCAA tournament with its 60-45 victory over Duke in the ACC tournament yesterday. The Terps, who take on top-seeded Virginia in the semifinals today in Rock Hill, S.C., were led yesterday by Bonnie Rimkus, who had 19 points and 17 rebounds.
