READING, Pa. – The Albright men's and women's basketball teams will each take part in their respective MAC Commonwealth Championship games on Saturday. The women host Messiah at 2 p.m. while the men travel to Lycoming for a 5 p.m. tip-off. Game capsules courtesy of the MAC.
Women's Championship – 2 p.m.
Video | Live Stats | MAC Championship Central
For the second-straight year its No. 1 Albright (22-4) playing host to No. 2 Messiah (24-2) in the conference final. The Lions won the 2016 title by a score of 69-58. Albright swept the season series against the Falcons, giving Messiah its only two loses of the season thus far. The Lions won the first meeting by a score of 85-82 in Grantham on Jan. 14. Albright then won the meeting on the last day of the regular-season by a score of 70-63 at home just seven days ago.
The Lions defeated No. 5 Lycoming by a score of 67-53 in the semifinal round on Wednesday. The Falcons defeated No. 3 Stevenson in semifinal round by a score of 78-55.
Albright is looking for its second-straight conference title after winning its first-ever in 2016. Messiah is looking for its eighth conference title, and its first since 2014.
Men's Championship – 5 p.m.
Video | Live Stats | MAC Championship Central
Lycoming (22-4) swept Albright (13-13) in the regular-season series by an average margin of 6.5 points. The Warriors won the first meeting on the road by a score of 76-70 on Jan. 11. Lycoming the defeated the Lions at home on Feb. 11 by a score of 90-83.
The Warriors defeated No. 5 Lebanon Valley in the semifinal round on Wednesday by a score of 88-64 after trailing 38-37 at halftime. Albright defeated No. 2 Widener on Wednesday by a score of 86-68 to advance. The Lions dominated the game, leading at halftime by a score of 48-28.
Lycoming is looking to win its second-straight MAC Commonwealth title, its fourth overall. The Warriors also won two conference titles when it was a member of the MAC Freedom. Albright is looking for its first conference title since 2010. The Lions have two MAC Commonwealth titles and eight MAC titles prior to the conference splitting into two.
