NORTH CANTON, OH: On December 16th, 2023, the Walsh Men's Basketball team was 1-3 in Great Midwest play. On March 9th, 2024, the Walsh Men's Basketball team won the Great Midwest Men's Basketball Championship. What could have been a tough season ended in triumphant victory, as Champions. Stringing together 14 out of 16 conference wins in January and February, the Maroon and Gold played their best basketball of the season at the right time.

Alumni Arena was electric on Saturday as the #2 seeded, Walsh Cavaliers faced the #4 seeded, Thomas More Saints in the Great Midwest Athletic Conference Men's Basketball Championship game. In a back and fourth game the entire forty minutes, there were 15 lead changes. This championship contest was a battle in the paint. Only attempting three 3 pointers in the first half and 11 total for the game, Walsh was an efficient on the offensive end, shooting 50.9% from the floor and outscored the Saints, 44-26 in the paint. 

Thomas More went to the halftime break with a 29-28 lead. Back and fourth, each team traded buckets until Tournament MVP, Garrison Keeslar completely took control of the game. Garrison torched Thomas More scoring 13 of Walsh's 15 points in the last eight minutes. The First Team All-Conference guard ended the game with a double double of 20 points and 10 rebounds. 

The battle tested Cavs are an automatic qualifier for the NCAA Regional Tournament following their Championship game win this afternoon. The selection show is tomorrow night at 11pm. Heading into the final regional rankings last week, the University of Indianapolis was #1 in the region. 

LOCATION: Alumni Arena
SCORE: Walsh 65 - Thomas More 56
RECORDS: Walsh 24-5 (15-5), Thomas More 19-12 (12-8)

FOR THE CAVS 

• Garrison Keeslar led all scorers and rebounders with 20 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 6 for 13 from the floor and was 7 for 8 from the free throw line. 
• Zack Oddo had another big game for the Maroon and Gold finishing with 15 points and 5 rebounds.
• Nic Smith shot 60% from the floor, finishing with 12 points for Walsh. 
• Aiden Satterfield was solid off the Cavalier bench with nine points and six rebounds. 
• Garrison Keeslar was named Tournament MVP. Kobe Mitchell and Zack Oddo also made the All-Tournament team.