Indianapolis, IN — In what has become somewhat of a rite of passage, the Messiah women's basketball program will once again host opening-round play of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.
That announcement was made during Monday's NCAA Selection Show, where Messiah was named one of 16 host institutions for the 64-team event.
The Falcons will face off against Neumann University (Aston, Pa.) at 7 p.m. Friday evening, while Mount Union College (Alliance, Ohio) will take on Washington & Jefferson College (Washington, Pa.) in the other First Round game beginning at 5 p.m.
The winners of those two contests will then meet Saturday at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to the “Sweet 16.”
“We're really excited that this young team has the opportunity to play in big games, starting last weekend,” said 24th-year head coach Mike Miller, who leads the program to its 11th straight NCAA Tournament appearance and 12th overall. “Many of our players came here because they wanted something bigger than themselves. League and NCAA playoffs are all about team.”
Miller's group assured itself an automatic berth into this year's tournament behind a 60-55 win over Lebanon Valley College in Saturday's Commonwealth Conference Championship game, the Falcons' eighth league title in the last 11 years.
Perhaps even more impressive has been the Falcons' propensity to host NCAA Tournament opening weekends: Though the tournament format has changed over the years, this weekend will mark the 11th straight season that Messiah has hosted an opening-round in the Big Dance.
“It never gets old,” Miller said. “As a staff, we do not take this for granted.”
Ironically, one of the tournament's most storied staples will meet up with one of its newest members, as Neumann (20-6) makes its first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance this year. The Knights, which won the Colonial States Athletic Association Championship in a 75-58 decision over Gwynedd-Mercy College, arrive having won five of their last six games.
It's only the second 20-win season in the history of Neumann women's basketball — the other came in 1987-1988. The Knights are led by 5-10 senior swing Britany Whetts, who averages a team-leading 20.9 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per contest. Whetts was named the CSAC Tournament MVP behind a 26-point, eight-rebound performance in Sunday's win over Gwynedd-Mercy.
Mount Union (24-4) and Washington & Jefferson (23-4) provide an intriguing match-up in Friday's other First Round contest, as the Purple Raiders arrive via the Ohio Athletic Conference Tournament Championship. Mount Union defeated Capital University by an 80-71 score Saturday, earning the program's second-ever OAC title.
Mostly known for its 10 national championships in the sport of football, Mount Union has made its impact on the women's basketball scene as well — it's just been awhile. With an overall record of 11-3 in three previous NCAA Tournament appearances, the Purple Raiders are making their first trip to the Big Dance since the 1998 season, when the team advanced to the Final Four.
Washington & Jefferson, meanwhile, makes its way into this year's tournament as an at-large bid, falling in the Presidents' Athletic Conference Semi-Finals to Westminster College by a 61-64 score. Senior point guard Kennan Killeen paces a balanced Presidents' attack, scoring 12 points per game and averaging 3.5 assists and 3.4 rebounds per contest. Killeen was named the PAC Player of the Year. Senior forward Maggie Gibson adds 11 points and 9.7 rebounds per game, and is the first Wash & Jeff women's basketball player to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds in a career.
Three teams in the Messiah pod are ranked in either the latest USA Today/ESPN Top 25 Coaches Poll, the D3hoops.com Top 25 Poll, or both: Messiah enters ranked 17th in both polls, while Washington & Jefferson College is ranked 24th in each. Mount Union is ranked 19th in the USA Today/ESPN Coaches Poll.
All games will take place in Brubaker Auditorium. Doors will open to the public at 4 p.m. Friday afternoon. Tickets for all NCAA National Tournament games are $6 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, $3 for children ages five through 12 and $3 for students with ID. Children ages four and under are admitted free. Fans unable to attend the games at Messiah will have the option of listening to all the action on the radio dial (90.7 FM) or on the world wide web, as WVMM, Messiah College Radio, will cover all tournament games with live, play-by-play action. Live Stats will also be available for all three games taking place during the weekend.
