Sharlows Help Lead SLUMens Hoops to NCAABid

CANTON - After defeating Hobart College last Saturday to clinch the Liberty League Tournament Title, the St. Lawrence University mens basketball team has earned the automatic bid into the NCAA Division III Tournament and will play Brandeis University at St. John Fisher College in Rochester, NY, this Friday starting at 6 p.m.

The first round of the tournament will take place on Friday at 6 p.m.

St. Lawrence finished the 2009-10 regular season with an overall record of 16-11, including 10-4 in the Liberty League, putting them first in the conference. Although the Saints lost three key seniors to graduation, they've continued to impress on the court and find themselves in their third straight NCAA Tournament. In the 2008-09 campaign, St. Lawrence had its best season since 1997-98, advancing to the "Sweet 16" for the second time under the leadership of St. Lawrence University Head Coach Chris Downs. The Saints defeated Brooklyn College, 81-69 in the first round of the tournament and continued their winning streak in the second round with a 90-80 victory over SUNYIT. Their run ended in the Sectional round when the Scarlet and Brown fell to nationally ranked Richard Stockton, 71-68.

The Saints are led by Liberty League player of the year, Josh Sharlow, as well as All-Conference sophomores Garrett Sharlow and Ralph Temgoua. Josh Sharlow, a guard from Norwood, joined the 1,000- point club this season. A vital player and valuable leader for the Saints, Josh Sharlow averages 11.9 points per game, and is ranked 2nd in the Liberty League with 57 total assists and 5th with 25 steals. Garrett Sharlow, a guard from Massena, has been St. Lawrence's lead scorer and rebounder this year, averaging 12.5 points per contest and 7.8 rebounds, ranking seventh in the Liberty League for points and 5th for rebounds, respectively. Temgoua, a guard from Paris, France, has also been a huge asset on the court, most recently being named the Most Outstanding Player of the Liberty League Tournament. Temgoua averages 11.2 points per game and is 7th in the conference in rebounds with an average of 7.5 per contest. He earned 5th in the league with 23 steals, and 6th with a .756 free-throw percentage.

Brandeis enters its fourth-straight NCAA Tournament, boasting an overall record of 19-6, including 9-5 in the University Athletic Association, one of the most competitive league's in the country. The Judges most recently defeated New York University, 69-62 to earn their 80th victory, making the class of 2010 the all-time winningest senior class in school history. This season, Brandeis was nationally ranked as high as eighth and after facing two NCAA tournament teams already, post a 2-1 mark against them. They defeated Clark University in non-conference play and split with two-time defending NCAA Championships Washington University.

Friday's contest will be the first time these two opponents have ever faced each other. The winner of the first-round game will face the winner of the St. John Fisher (22-5) vs. Brooklyn (22-6) contest. St. John Fisher will see Brooklyn at 8 p.m, following SLU vs. Brandeis.

The NCAA second round contest will be played Saturday at 7 p.m.