Published: December 14, 2007 10:54 am         

Allegany plays host to Classic

Vincennes, Hagerstown, Monroe join Trojans tonight, tomorrow

CUMBERLAND - In a season with more downs than ups so far, the Allegany College of Maryland men's basketball team will be looking to take some momentum into the holidays when the Trojans host the annual Pepsi Christmas Classic tonight and Saturday at Bob Kirk Arena.

Perennial national power Vincennes (Ind.) will be playing Hagerstown in today's opener at 5 p.m., and Allegany will be taking on Monroe of Rochester, N.Y. at 7 o'clock. In the Classic format the Trojans will meet Vincennes on Saturday at 7 p.m., following the 5 o'clock contest between Hagerstown and Monroe.

Allegany defeated Lenoir (N.C.) 71-58, and Brunswick (N.C.), 67-62, in last year's Classic and has a string of 24 straight wins in the annual event.

The Trojans are entering the classic with a 5-6 overall record following a disappointing 56-54 loss at Baltimore City. Included in the loss column is a 92-73 setback at hands of Vincennes in Indiana in the Kiwanis Trailblazer Invitational.

Vincennes has a 10-1 record and is ranked No. 11 in NJCAA Division I poll after suffering its only loss last week to No. 6 Three Rivers (Mo.), 79-75. The Trailblazers made a record-tying 27th appearance in the NJCAA National Tournament last season.

Monroe is currently ranked No. 9 in the NJCAA Division II poll with a 9-2 record. The Tribunes were No. 3 in the preseason poll after losing in the finals of last year's National Tournament to finish 30-4.

Hagerstown is off to a strong start with a 9-2 record under first-year coach Terry Truax.

Allegany and Vincennes played in the Pepsi Classic two years ago when the event was staged at Frostburg State's Bobcat Arena due to renovations to the ACM gym. The Trojans won that meeting 75-62. Vincennes leads the overall series 26-16, but Allegany has won 11 of 15 meetings here.

Allegany has been led by NJCAA Preseason All-American 6-foot-7 sophomore Calvin Lee, who is averaging 16.7 points and 10.7 rebounds. The Trojans' only other sophomore 6-6 George DeGroat averages 15.1 and 9.2 rebounds.Vincennes' is led by 6-8 sophomore Zvonko Buljan with 16.7 points and 10 rebounds a games. Devon Dumes, a 6-2 sophomore guard, averages 16.7 points.

Leading Monroe are 6-0 sophomore guard Jonathan Moore with 15.1 points a game, and 6-6 sophomore forward Chris Rogers with a 14.5 average.

Hagerstown is led by 6-5 sophomore Kelvin Bright with 19.8 points a game.