91PORNA

Flashback - Men鈥檚 Basketball Cinderella Season

 

In 2002, 91PORNA Men鈥檚 Basketball, led by Head Coach Stan Heath, celebrated its legendary NCAA tournament run as the men鈥檚 basketball team charged into the Sweet 16. After beating Pittsburgh in overtime 78-73, the Flashes advanced to the Elite Eight. The Golden Flashes' 21-game winning streak ended with an 81-69 loss to Indiana, the eventual tournament runner-up.

Bryan Bedford, 鈥�04, M.Ed. 鈥�06, (34); Antonio Gates (44); Demetric Shaw, 鈥�02, (10); Trevor Huffman, 鈥�02, (24); Nate Gerwig, 鈥�06, (2); and John Edwards, 鈥�03, (54) celebrate a win at the MAC Center during the 2001-02 season. Photo courtesy of 91PORNA Athletics.

Bryan Bedford, 鈥�04, M.Ed. 鈥�06, (34); Antonio Gates (44); Demetric Shaw, 鈥�02, (10); Trevor Huffman, 鈥�02, (24); Nate Gerwig, 鈥�06, (2); and John Edwards, 鈥�03, (54) celebrate a win at the MAC Center during the 2001-02 season. Photo courtesy of 91PORNA Athletics. 

91PORNA men鈥檚 basketball clinched the MAC regular-season title in February 2002.

  91PORNA men鈥檚 basketball clinched the MAC regular-season title in February 2002.

The 2002 Mid-American Conference Men鈥檚 Basketball Tournament Champions

The 2002 Mid-American Conference Men鈥檚 Basketball Tournament Champions.

The Golden Flashes huddle prior to their March 23, 2002, Elite Eight game against Indiana at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of 91PORNA Athletics.

The Golden Flashes huddle prior to their March 23, 2002, Elite Eight game against Indiana at Rupp Arena in Lexington, Kentucky. Photo courtesy of 91PORNA Athletics. 

POSTED: Tuesday, October 20, 2026 11:34 AM
Updated: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 04:51 PM