![OCC's Hannah Durand cuts down the nets following the Women's Basketball teams Region 3 Championship. Both the Women's and Men's Basketball teams will play for national championships next week. OCC's Hannah Durand cuts down the nets following the Women's Basketball teams Region 3 Championship. Both the Women's and Men's Basketball teams will play for national championships next week.](/sites/default/files/styles/full_width_1228_/public/images/2022-03/HERO%20-%20Hannah%20Durand.jpg?itok=FmZHPU4s)
The Lazers Women's and Men's Basketball teams will be playing for NJCAA Division 3 National Championships next week. Both Lazers teams regained their elite status after missing the entire 2020-2021 season due to Covid.
The Women's team earned an automatic bid by winning the Region 3 tournament. They are 24-2 overall and own a 22-game win streak. They will travel to Rochester, Minnesota for the national tournament. The Lazers are seeded #3 and received a first round bye. Thursday, March 10 they will play at 9 p.m. eastern against the winner of the Rock Valley C.C./Hostos C.C. game.
The Men's team was awarded an at-large bid to the tournament as a reward for their outstanding 25-3 record. They will travel to Rockford, Illinois and play their first game Wednesday, March 9 at 3 p.m. eastern. The Lazers are seeded #5 and will play #12 Monroe College-Bronx.
"We're so proud of the way our Women's and Men's teams rebounded from Covid and put together outstanding seasons. Our entire campus community will be cheering them on next week as they play for national championships. We have a proud tradition of hanging championship banners here and would love the opportunity to hang two more later this month," said OCC President Dr. Casey Crabill.