Collen Gurley started on the Mount Union team in 2020 that had its season curtailed in the Sweet 16, and he's back with the Purple Raiders now. Mount Union athletics photo

By Joe Sager
D3sports.com

Like every basketball team, Mount Union starts five players.

However, the Purple Raiders might feel like they have a whole swarm of guys on the floor Thursday night when they open their NCAA Division III semifinal against UW-Whitewater at the Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

They’ll be playing with the spirit of the Mount Union’s 2020 squad that saw its run halted abruptly when COVID-19 precautions ended the postseason after the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Seven current Purple Raiders were on that team, including starters Collen Gurley and Braedon Poole, who both started in 2020 as well. Current starter Darrell Newsom came off the bench that season as did Chris Painter, Jr., Alex Borscheid, Ben Broscheid and Logan Hill.

“It always was lingering and it will for those guys,” Mount coach Mike Fuline said. “I think a part of them feels good for that group. Some guys decided to stick around for another shot and we’re grateful for that.”

Gurley, who is second on the team in scoring at 14.5 points per game, transferred to Youngstown State, a D-I program, last season. Mount reached the NCAA Tournament last year, but fell to Stevens in the first round. Gurley couldn’t pass up the opportunity for one more run and came back to the Purple Raiders this season.

“With leaving and going to a great program like YSU, that kind of turned me into who I am now,” he said. “Being there and around a great group of guys – they have some guys who turned pro – it really helped me, going against them every day and being around them. Coming back, it showed me how to lead a team. Words can’t even explain how I feel about it and being able to come back home and the team accepting me like they did. It feels like I never left.”

It's the home-like atmosphere that fuels Mount. Many of the players from the 2020 team were in attendance at the McPherson Academic and Athletic Complex to watch the Purple Raiders punch their first ticket to the semifinals.

“When I was warming up, I was seeing almost every one of them coming through the door,” Gurley said. “It was good to see a lot of these guys at the games. They support us. We want this as well. But, I feel like those seniors on that team want it for us as well. Part of it feels like they are here with us. If they could put on a jersey and play, I am sure they would immediately.”

Many of the players who couldn’t be in attendance reached out via text message.

“As much as it was probably good for them to be there, it was more beneficial for me, selfishly. I want them to feel good. They are doing great things and have great jobs and making more money than I will ever make. I don’t feel real bad for them,” Fuline said with a laugh. “But, part of their life will always have an asterisk next to it. For them to be there and hug the guys and support them, I know it meant a lot to our guys and meant a lot of them as well.”

Junior forward Christian Parker, Mount’s leading scorer at 18.5 points per game, wasn’t part of that 2020 team, but he was in the stands to watch its last game when senior star Nathan Bower-Malone went off for 53 points in a 90-77 win over York (Pa.).

“That team had a great shot to win it all. I was at the game when Nate had 53 to break the school record in points. I will always remember that game and what it meant to those guys,” he said “Now, to have the opportunity to go for it again is something special and I am happy to be part of this group.

“Having them at games is a huge help. I got to play with some of them my freshman year coming in. Even with that, I feel like we owe it to them to finish what they started,” he continued. “They were putting Alliance on the map for basketball. Just having them around is special and makes me play harder. I want to do something for them. What they never got, I feel like we have a good chance of getting.”

Seeing some of those players share in the emotional journey sticks with the Purple Raiders.

“It’s really wonderful, man. This season we are playing for a lot. That 2020 team and those seniors like Nate and D’Vontay (Friga), they led and prepared us for this moment. Having those guys around and seeing how hard it’s hitting them to see us win really means a lot,” Gurley said. “D’Vontay almost cried after our last game. It motivates us. We have two more left. Let’s go do this. It’s a huge motivation. All those guys kept up with us all season and they motivated us throughout the whole season. They told us we had to be that group of guys to finish the job. We took those words of encouragement, and we’ve made it this far.”

The Raiders expect to see plenty of familiar faces in the crowd when they take the court Thursday.

“All the support just means a lot. You can’t preach family when it’s convenient,” Fuline said. “I am just so happy for those guys. My 2015 group, a lot of those guys were at our last games and they are married now and doing great things, too. It’s all connected. It makes you feel good, after doing it for over a decade, you see guys coming back and feeling that pride. The high school team I coached to a state championship in 2010 is coming to watch us play, too. I’ll take it. Whatever it takes to get it done.”