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Mount Union in team’s first ‘Final Four’

Submitted photo Mount Union guard Jeffery Mansfield dribbles up the court against Lancaster Bible earlier this season.

For the first time in school history, the No. 3 Mount Union men’s basketball team is geared up to play in the Division III Final Four in Indianapolis today.

The Raiders are 29-2 this season and will take on the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

“This team, from the beginning, knew defense was going to be our calling card. We have some really talented guys,” head coach Mike Fuline said. “They love to guard and love to defend. Once they fell in love with that in the preseason, you knew you had a chance, you never know if you’ll make it to the Final Four, but you know you have a chance to win some games.”

While defense may be at the center of the game plan this season, the Raiders’ offense has been potent. The team averages 84.0 points per game and have outscored opponents 2,603-2,165. In the four games leading into Thursday’s contest, the Raiders have scored 343 points, second highest among the three other teams in the Final Four.

“The offense caught up with the defense later in the year which we figured would happen,” Fuline said.

He still believes, however, that their offensive output is a direct correlation of the defensive side.

“A lot of that 84 points is us getting stops and getting easy baskets,” he said.

Part of the defensive domination comes in part from the Mahoning Valley. McDonald graduate Braedon Poole has helped the Raiders defensive efforts by hauling in 88 defensive rebounds and adding 43 blocks.

“We have a lot of guys who have stepped up defensively this year,” Poole said. “I feel like if we can’t score, our defense needs to step up. (Fuline) preaches that before every game and practice. That’s a big part of our team this year.”

Two others, Mick Hergenrother and Zane Muckleroy, are from Cardinal Mooney and Canfield, respectively. Hergenrother has appeared in 11 games for the Raiders.

Fuline said Mount Union being in the Final Four is great not only for the program, but the city.

“It makes you feel good. It makes you feel like the work you are doing and the process that goes into it… those things do matter so you can get to this point with those philosophies,” he said.

For Poole, his hopes for the historic run is to help set the standard for Mount Union basketball in the future.

“We’re known for football and we’re known for track and field. But this year we’re taking that next step where Ohio Athletic Conference championships aren’t the goal anymore. We want to be on the national stage and win a national championship,” he said.

As for the players, Fuline said his team is ready for the new challenge.

“I think they’re excited because it’s new. But once that ball goes up I think we have a group of guys that just love to play basketball,” he said. “It’s great to have that opportunity.”

Poole added that with a deep playoff run, nerves are bound to come around.

“I think we’re here for a reason. We’re one of the top teams and I feel like we’re going to compete like that,” he said. “I never thought I’d ever be in this position. Right now I’m taking it all in and enjoying the experience with my teammates.”

Thursday’s matchup against Wisconsin-Whitewater will be a challenge, according to Fuline. The team is 25-7 this season, but Fuline said they are “proven”

“They’re a great team and it’ll be a battle,” he said. “They’ve won a lot of games and have a great history so it’ll be tough, there’s no doubt about it.”

With his collegiate career winding down, Poole said his time at Mount Union has been special.

“I knew coming here that I might play or I might not play, I didn’t know. I made a big impact here and I didn’t see that coming in. It’s been special, really special,” he said.

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