Bates College

Malcolm Delpeche (Wilmington, Del.) rose well above his season average in rebounds and points last week to help the Bates men's basketball team advance from their first NCAA Division III tournament appearance to the Bobcats' first trip to the Sweet Sixteen.

The 6-8 center, who averaged 5.8 rebounds per game during the regular season, tied his career-high in rebounds with a game-high 16 boards in last Friday's 92-80 win over Saint Vincent College in first round action. Delpeche's performance helped the Bobcats win the battle of the boards, 42-31 over the Bearcats, who came into the game as the best rebounding team from the Presidents' Athletic Conference.

Delpeche followed up Friday’s performance with a double-double in Saturday night’s second round 68-59 over-time win over No. 17 nationally ranked Stockton University to send the Bobcats to the Sweet Sixteen. The center was 7-13 from the floor and three for four from the line in scoring 17 points, also well above his 6.8 season average.

Delpeche’s ten boards on Saturday helped the Bobcats enjoy the rebounding advantage for the second night in a row, 48-34 in the win.