After completing a 10-game winning streak with the 10th being a 90-77 win in the CSAC semi-final, the Cavaliers moved to the cusp of their fourth-straight CSAC title.
The matchup is set. The road to the NCAA Tournament out of the CSAC is a rematch.
Third-seeded Keystone College defeated Gwynedd-Mercy College, 83-76, to advance to the CSAC Final for the second-straight season.
The Cavs and Giants have formed quite the rivalry over the past two seasons.
On Dec. 3, 2012, the Cavs edged the Giants in an instant classic. 2012 graduate John Boyd’s last-second three-pointer gave the Cavs the victory.
That was the shot that started it all.
Two months later, the regular season finale was at Keystone for the Cavs, and they took it by a much more comfortable margin. A 96-85 win completed an undefeated season in CSAC play for the Cavaliers.
The two would also meet in the CSAC Final on Feb. 24, 2012, where the Cavaliers would survive an exciting game, winning 86-79.
Something about last year’s team was special. The team vaulted to the cusp of more than just a conference championship, advancing through the rounds with ease in the NCAA Tournament.
Despite the heartbreaking end, it was evident that the team was different with their first conference loss to Immaculata. The first meeting against Keystone this season on Jan. 19 proved to be worse, a 102-87 loss.
But a week later, the Cavs dominated, rolling to a 94-77 win. They haven’t looked back since.
So with one win separating the Cavs from a fourth-straight title and NCAA Tournament appearance, a newly found rival stands in the way.
May the best team win.
