Blackburn College Men's Basketball wins Back to Back SLIAC Tournament Titles
Lincoln Native Coach Austin Kirby and brother Bryson play big part in team's success

[March 05, 2022] 

The Blackburn College men’s basketball team became the first team in St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) history to win back-to-back titles multiple times over the weekend. It's the fifth tournament title for Blackburn, who also won in 1991, 1992, 2005, and 2021. With the victory, the Beavers earned an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament facing off against the #1 overall seed and defending national champions the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. The game will be played in Oshkosh, WI and will tip-off at 7:15 pm on Friday, March 4.


The Beavers completed their quest for repeat conference titles by defeating Webster University 76-56 in the championship game. Senior guard Chanz Aldridge was incredibly consistent throughout the tournament run, scoring 27, 27, and 26 points over the three contests. Originally from Hillside, IL, Aldridge was named Tournament Most Valuable Player for a second straight season and became the first player to win back-to-back Tournament MVP awards since Blackburn College's Kevin Green pulled off the same feat 30 years before.

 

Like most kids who grow up with a basketball in their hands, playing in the NCAA Tournament is something Aldridge has spent most of his life dreaming about. “I give so much credit to my father. He always told me when big games are on the line, big players step up,” said Aldridge. "It really is a blessing to do it at a high level.”

Despite appearing in the conference final four each of the past five seasons, winning another title was not a foregone conclusion.

Blackburn Coach Austin Kirby was asked about the team's recent tournament play and what turned things around for the Beavers. He said, "The biggest thing was our movement. We started out 6-1 and finished 1-6 and a lot of that was stagnant movement. When we play inside out basketball we are a much better team.”

After last year’s national tournament was disrupted due to COVID, the 2021 SLIAC Basketball Coach of the Year is thrilled to get the opportunity to play in the NCAA Tournament. Kirby added, “Our group has been clicking lately and it has been exciting to see."

In the championship game, Blackburn’s sophomore forward Izayah Talmadge put up a double-double with 15 points and 15 rebounds. Originally from St. Louis, MO, Talmadge earned all-tournament team honors and was named to the conference all-defensive team. First-team all-conference member Javon Stovall, a senior wing from Canton, OH, added 17 points.

Senior Bryson Kirby, from Lincoln, IL, shot 50% from behind the arc for the tournament and hit several timely threes during the semi-final match up against Eureka College. He also added 10 rebounds in the championship game.

Blackburn will look to become the first SLIAC conference team to win an NCAA Men’s Division III Tournament game. The Beavers have made two previous appearances in the tournament, losing to Illinois Wesleyan in 2003 and Hanover in 2005.

Blackburn College in Carlinville has won its second consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Conference Basketball Title.

Originally from Lincoln, Head Coach Austin Kirby and senior wing Bryson Kirby have helped lead Blackburn College to these titles and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

On Friday, the team faced the #1 overall seed and defended national champions, the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. There is no report yet on the outcome of that game.

In history, brothers have played on the same team, but this may be the first time there has been a coach/player brother duo.

Pictured is Bryson (center) with family members on senior night. His brother Austin joins him on the far right.

About Blackburn College

Founded in 1837, Blackburn College is a four-year, Presbyterian-related, co-educational liberal arts college located in Carlinville, IL. One of only nine federally-recognized Work Colleges, Blackburn has the only program in the nation fully managed by students. Balancing academic rigor and experiential learning, each student at Blackburn gains tangible experience and develops critical skills while contributing to their community and building a resume while earning their degree. In their 2020 Best Colleges Rankings, U.S. News & World Report recognized Blackburn College as one of the top 10 best Liberal Arts Colleges in the Nation for Social Mobility. The Center for Education & the Workforce at Georgetown University ranked Blackburn as a top performer for Earnings-Price Return - 209% (#1 in IL, #10 in the U.S.) and Net Price (#1 in IL; #11 in the U.S.). The Washington Monthly twice ranked Blackburn as the best baccalaureate college in Illinois.

[Kyle Lowden
Blackburn College
Director, Marketing & Public Relations]