2014 POSTSEASON WNIT
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
Postseason WNIT Field Announced
The Women’s National Invitation Tournament Selection Committee announced its 64-team field for the 2014 Postseason WNIT. This year’s field ties the record set in 2013 for the most teams that were crowned regular-season champions in their respected conferences with High Point (Big South), Iona (Metro Atlantic), Navy (Patriot), Lamar (Southland), Indiana State (MVC), Colorado State (MWC), Arkansas State (Sun Belt), Green Bay (Horizon), South Dakota State (Summit), and Bowling Green (MAC). In addition, 35 teams in the field enter postseason play with 20 or more wins. Now in its 17th year, the Postseason WNIT is the second longest current running postseason event for women’s college basketball, behind the NCAA Tournament. In addition, it is the only men’s or women’s postseason tournament – other than the NCAA – to offer an automatic berth to each of the 32 established conferences. Conference USA leads the field with six teams selected, followedby five from the Big East, and four from the Atlantic 10, Big Ten, and Pac-12. The American, MAC, SEC, and WCC each have three schools represented. Other conferences in the field include: Big Sky (2), Big West (2), Ivy (2), Metro Atlantic (2), Patriot (2), Summit (2), ACC (1), America East (1), Atlantic Sun (1), Big 12 (1), Big South (1), Colonial (1), Horizon (1), MEAC (1), Missouri Valley (1), Mountain West (1), NEC (1), Ohio Valley (1), Southern (1), Southland (1), Sun Belt (1), SWAC (1), and WAC (1). The official tournament website is www.womensnit.com. It has the latest news and information regarding the Postseason WNIT. Follow the WNIT on Facebook and Twitter. Please use #WNIT for all tweets.
The Selection Process
The WNIT committee selects 64 teams for its Postseason tournament. The field consists of 32 automatic berths – one from each conference – and 32 at-large teams. The intention of the WNIT Selection Committee is to select the 32 best available at-large teams in the nation. A team that is offered an automatic berth by the WNIT must meet these criteria: 1.) the highest-finishing team in its conference’s regular-season standings, and 2.) is not selected for the NCAA Tournament. A team that fulfills these qualities will earn the WNIT automatic berth for its respective conference, regardless of overall record. The remaining 32 berths in the Postseason WNIT were filled by the best teams available. All Division I teams are eligible for consideration. Any team considered for an at-large berth must have an overall record of .500 or better. Overall record includes conference tournament games.
About the WNIT
The Women’s National Invitation Tournament is an annual tournament involving 64 of the nation’s top women’s Division I basketball teams. All games, including the semifinals and championship, are hosted by participating schools. Every round is single elimination. The WNIT offers teams an opportunity to get more practices in, to experience playoff-atmosphere games, to play in front of passionate fans, and to use their WNIT success as a springboard to the next season. The tournament started in 1998 with 16 teams, expanded to 32 schools in 1999, and then to its current 64-team field in 2010.
Page 1
Tournament Dates Round #1 – March 19-21 Round #2 – March 22-25 Round #3 – March 26-28 Round #4 – March 29-31 Semifinals – April 2-3 All games hosted by participating schools
Championship Game Saturday, April 5, 3 p.m. ET Nationally Televised LIVE in HD
Play-by-Play: Thad Anderson Color Analyst: Ceal Barry
Tournament Field a=Automatic Berth American (Patriot, 22-9) a-Arkansas State (Sun Belt, 22-11) a-Auburn (SEC, 17-14) Ball State (MAC, 18-16) a-Belmont (Ohio Valley, 14-17) a-Bowling Green (MAC, 27-4) Butler (Big East, 15-15) a-Cal Poly (Big West, 18-13) a-CSU Bakersfield (WAC, 19-11) Central Michigan (MAC, 20-11) Charlotte (CUSA, 15-15) Colorado (Pac-12, 17-14) a-Colorado State (MWC, 25-7) a-Creighton (Big East, 19-13) a-Delaware (Colonial, 20-10) Duquesne (Atlantic 10, 19-12) East Carolina (CUSA, 22-8) a-Furman (Southern, 18-12) George Washington (A-10, 21-10) a-Green Bay (Horizon, 22-9) Harvard (Ivy, 21-7) Hawaii (Big West, 17-13) a-High Point (Big South, 22-10) Indiana (Big Ten, 18-12) a-Indiana State (MVC, 20-11) a-Iona (Metro Atlantic, 26-5) IUPUI (Summit, 22-9) a-Lamar (Southland, 18-12) Marquette (Big East, 21-10) a-Miami (FL) (ACC, 16-14) Michigan (Big Ten, 18-13) a-Minnesota (Big Ten, 20-12)
Mississippi State (SEC, 19-13) Missouri (SEC, 17-13) Montana (Big Sky, 22-10) a-Mount St. Mary’s (NEC, 19-13) a-Navy (Patriot, 24-7) a-NC A&T (MEAC, 24-6) Northwestern (Big Ten, 15-15) Old Dominion (CUSA, 17-15) Oregon (Pac-12, 15-15) a-Pacific (WCC, 18-12) a-Princeton (Ivy, 20-8) Quinnipiac (MAAC, 21-12) Rutgers (American, 22-9) Saint Mary’s (WCC, 22-9) San Diego (WCC, 22-8) Seton Hall (Big East, 18-13) SMU (American, 17-13) a-South Dakota State (Summit, 22-9) a-South Florida (American, 19-12) a-Southern Miss (CUSA, 26-6) a-Southern Utah (Big Sky, 22-9) a-St. Bonaventure (Atlantic 10, 23-10) a-Stetson (Atlantic Sun, 26-7) a-Stony Brook (America East, 24-8) a-TCU (Big 12, 18-14) a-Texas Southern (SWAC, 20-12) Tulane (CUSA, 20-10) UTEP (CUSA, 24-7) VCU (Atlantic 10, 22-9) Villanova (Big East, 22-8) a-Washington (Pac-12, 17-13) Washington State (Pac-12, 17-16)
Championship on CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network will broadcast the championship game of the Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament live and in HD on Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. ET. The broadcast team includes Thad Anderson (play-by-play) and legendary coach Ceal Barry (analyst). Anderson has worked as a play-by-play announcer for 19 years in basketball, baseball, softball, and football. Barry served as Head Coach at the University of Colorado for 22 years where she compiled a 427-242 record, 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including six times in the Sweet 16 and three times in the Elite Eight, 13 20-win seasons, four conference championships and assorted coach of the year honors.
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
Semifinals April 2-3
Championship at TBA 3 p.m. ET Sat. April 5 CBS Sports Network
20
14 Semifinals April 2-3
Quarterfinals March 29-31
Round 2 March 22-25
High Point
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at BGSU
Bowling Green
Mount St. Mary's
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at Duquesne
Duquesne
Stony Brook
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at Michigan
Michigan
Round 1 March 19-21
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
IUPUI
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Cent.Mich.
Ball State Central Michigan
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at N'western
Northwestern
Belmont
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Indiana
Indiana
Marquette
7:05 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Indiana St.
Indiana St.
Missouri
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at Creighton
Creighton
Butler
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at S. Dak. St.
Texas Southern South Dakota St.
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at SMU
SMU
Green Bay
7 pm CT Wed. 3/19 at Minnesota
Minnesota
Arkansas St.
7 pm MT Fri. 3/21 at UTEP
CSU Bakersfield UTEP
6 pm PT Fri. 3/21 at Saint Mary's
Saint Mary's CA
TCU
7 pm MT Wed. 3/19 at Colorado
Colorado
Southern Utah
7 pm MT Thur. 3/20 at Colo. St.
Cal Poly Colorado State
All game times are according to host school’s time zone.
CHAMPIONS
2014 Postseason WNIT
Lamar
Stetson
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Miami
Miami
North Carolina A&T
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at South Florida
East Carolina South Florida
7 pm ET Wed. 3/19 at G. Wash.
George Wash.
Quinnipiac
7 pm ET Wed. 3/19 at Villanova
Villanova
Navy
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at ODU
Old Dominion
Furman
6 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at Auburn
Auburn
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at S. Miss
Southern Miss
Tulane
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at MSU
Mississippi St.
American
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Seton Hall
Seton Hall
VCU
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Princeton
Princeton
Delaware
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Rutgers
Rutgers
Harvard
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Iona
Iona
Charlotte
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at St. Bonaventure
Quarterfinals March 29-31
Round 3 March 26-28
6 pm PT Thur. 3/20 at San Diego
Round 3 March 26-28
St. Bonaventure
Round 2 March 22-25
San Diego
Washington St.
7 pm MT Wed 3/19 at Montana
Montana
Pacific
7 pm PT Thur. 3/20 at Oregon
Oregon
Hawaii
7 pm PT Fri. 3/21 at Washington
Washington
Round 1 March 19-21
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
Page 3 2
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
DREXEL CAPTURES 2013 WNIT CHAMPIONSHIP SCORE BY PERIODS
Utah Drexel
1ST 2ND F 24 19 43 21 25 46
Attendance: 1,922 Site: Daskalakis Athletic Center, Philadelphia
Records 23-14 28-10
By Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA -- Taylor Wootton will end her career with a win. The senior forward, who has played more games than anyone who has ever worn a Drexel uniform, saved one of her best games for last as she scored a game-high 16 points and added six rebounds to help guide the Drexel women’s basketball team to the 2013 WNIT championship with a 46-43 victory over Utah. Wootton, who has played in a Dragon-record 131 games, became just the 21st player in Drexel women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career points early in the second half, and finished her career with 1,003. Hollie Mershon will end her career with a win. The senior guard played just one game less than Wootton over the course of her career, and finished the season as Drexel’s leading scorer. She was named the WNIT Most Valuable Player after a performance that saw her score 14 points, including 12 in the second half. Mershon drove down the left side and scored with 21 seconds remaining to give the Dragons a 44-43 lead, and after a Utah turnover, Mershon hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to put the Dragons up by their final margin of three points.
Sideline Photos
Renee Johnson-Allen will end her career with a win. The senior guard finished with six points and three rebounds after a season in which she became arguably the Dragons’ best rebounder despite her 5’6” stature. Johnson-Allen, who started the season’s final 15 games, figured into one of the championship game’s most important plays late in the contest. With the Utes up by a point and taking the ball out of bounds under their own basket, Wootton tipped the inbounds pass to JohnsonAllen, who somehow kept the ball inbounds and helped Drexel regain possession with 30 seconds remaining. That led to Mershon’s go-ahead layup nine seconds later. Drexel (28-10) set a school record for wins and became the first Philadelphia Division I women’s basketball team to win a postseason championship as it completed its run through the WNIT with the victory over Utah (23-14). The Dragons trailed for nearly the entire first half as the Utes seemed to have an answer every time Drexel got close. After seeing a five-point lead in the second half evaporate, the Dragons fought back with Mershon’s late heroics to bring home the championship and bring the Daskalakis Athletic Center crowd of 1,922 storming onto the court to celebrate with their team.
Page 3
Sideline Photos
STATS COMPARISON Utah Points 43 FG Made-Attempted 16-47 FG Percentage 34.0% 3PT Made-Attempted 7-21 3PT Percentage 33.3% FT Made-Attempted 4-5 FT Percentage 80.0% Rebounds 34 Turnovers 9
Drexel 46 19-53 35.8% 5-17 29.4% 3-4 75.0% 30 1
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
RECORD BOOK INDIVIDUAL RECORDS Most Points - Game 45 Tamika Whitmore, Memphis vs. Arkansas St., 3/17/99 Most Points - Tournament 147 Danielle McCray, Kansas (2009) Most Field Goals Made - Game 18 Aisha Hollans, University of Southern California vs. Washington, 3/17/02 Most Field Goals Made - Tournament 54 Toni Young, Oklahoma State (2012) Best Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 12 attempts) .917 Kelsey Kahle, Portland State (11 for 12) vs. Portland, 3/19/09 Most 3-Pointers - Game 9 Jordan Jones, South Carolina vs. NCA&T, 3/21/08 Most 3-Pointers - Tournament 22 Jenny Lingor, Missouri State (2005) Best 3-point Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 6 attempts) 100.0 Valerie Nainima, Long Island (6 for 6), vs. Iona, 3/15/07 Most Free Throws - Game 17 Hanna Zavecz (17 of 24), Wyoming vs. Kansas State, 3/28/07 Most Free Throws - Tournament 47 Hanna Zavecz, Wyoming (2007) Best Free Throw Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 13 attempts) 100.0 Crystal Kelly, Western Kentucky (14 for 14), vs. Minnesota, 3/19/07 100.0 Krysten Boogaard, Kansas (13 for 13), vs. Prairie View A&M, 3/17/10 100.0 Kristi Cirone, Illinois State (13 for 13), vs. Marquette, 3/26/09 100.0 Shantia Grace, South Florida (13 for 13), vs. St. Bonaventure, 3/29/09 Most Rebounds - Game 25 Sophia Young, Baylor vs. Auburn, 4/4/03 Most Rebounds - Tournament 68 Sophia Young, Baylor (2003) Most Offensive Rebounds - Game 12 Shauntal Nobles, Texas Tech vs. University of San Diego, 3/22/12 Most Offensive Rebounds - Tournament 20 Janese Banks, Wisconsin (2007) Most Defensive Rebounds - Game 16 Chucky Jeffery, Colorado vs. Villanova, 3/22/12 Most Defensive Rebounds - Tournament 49 Liz Donohoe, Oklahoma State (2012) Most Assists - Game 13 Ariana Elegado, Cal Poly vs. Washington, 3/14/12 13 Kelsey Corbin, Ball State vs. Kentucky, 3/19/07 13 Dee Dee Pate, Wisconsin vs. Memphis, 3/20/99 Most Assists - Tournament 43 Yolanda Paige, West Virginia (2005) Most Blocks - Game 10 Hillary Carlson, University of Wyoming, vs. Nevada, 3/19/10 Most Blocks - Tournament 22 Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State (2008) Most Steals - Game 10 Shala Crook, Ball State vs. Valparaiso, 3/16/02 Most Steals - Tournament 18 Tonya Washington, Florida (2000) 18 Bell Tonbi, Florida (2000)
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
TEAM RECORDS Most Points - Game 107 University of Wisconsin vs. Siena College, 03/14/99 Most Points - Tournament 452 University of Wyoming (2007) Most Field Goals - Game 45 University of Illinois vs. Wisconsin Green Bay, 3/15/01 Most Field Goals - Tournament 179 Florida (2000) Best Shooting Percentage - Game .618 South Carolina vs. Hartford, 3/18/07 Most 3-Pointers - Game 17 Missouri State vs. Iowa, 3/28/05 Most 3-Pointers - Tournament 58 Missouri State (2005) Best 3-point Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 10 attempts) .750 University of Wyoming (9 for 12), vs. Nevada, 3/15/07 Most Free Throws - Game 37 University of Wyoming (37 of 52), vs. Kansas State, 3/28/07 Most Free Throws - Tournament 122 University of Wyoming (2007) Best Free Throw Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 15 attempts) 100.0 University of Wisconsin (20 for 20), vs. Western Kentucky, 3/28/07 Most Rebounds - Game 62 Fresno State vs. Santa Clara, 3/21/03 62 Missouri State vs. Oral Roberts, 3/19/10 Most Rebounds - Tournament 273 University of California-Berkeley (2010) Most Offensive Rebounds - Game 32 South Florida vs. Florida, 3/18/10 Most Offensive Rebounds - Tournament 85 University of Wisconsin (2007) Most Defensive Rebounds - Game 44 Illinois State vs. Rice, 3/15/07 Most Defensive Rebounds - Tournament 184 Oklahoma State (2012) Most Assists - Game 28 Kansas State vs. Idaho State, 3/17/06 Most Assists - Tournament 102 Oklahoma State (2012) Most Turnovers - Game 30 Eastern Illinois vs. Marquette, 3/18/10 30 Oral Roberts vs. Missouri State, 3/19/10 Most Turnovers - Tournament 106 James Madison University (2012) Most Steals - Game 23 Northern Colorado vs. Colorado, 3/14/12 Most Steals - Tournament 60 Houston (2002) Most Blocks - Game 16 South Florida vs. Coppin State, 3/19/07 Most Blocks - Tournament 31 James Madison University (2012)
Page 5 4
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
WNIT HISTORY
The Postseason WNIT began in 1998 with 16 teams playing for a postseason crown. The event has undergone four expansions throughout, but its mission has remained the same: To give deserving teams a quality opportunity to play exciting games for a postseason title. Following the inaugural year, the field doubled to 32 teams and remained that way until 2006 when a renewed commitment was made to schools. The WNIT expanded to a 40-team field to give spots to teams that won their regular-season conference title but did not win their conference tournament and therefore were excluded from the NCAA Tournament. The WNIT furthered that commitment to conferences in 2007, when it expanded to 48 teams and awarded an automatic berth to each conference. The number of at-large berths remained at 17 until 2010, when the WNIT felt that the level of women’s basketball warranted an expansion to the 64-team field. The Postseason WNIT is the second longest running postseason tournament in women’s college basketball history behind the NCAA Tournament. Since its inception in 1998, the WNIT has afforded hundreds of opportunities for schools in every conference to play in the postseason. WNIT games showcase the best of women’s basketball, both with fan excitement (The 2009 championship was played in front of a Big 12 record 16,113 fans at Kansas) and level of play (teams that do well in the Post WNIT often make a huge jump the following year to performing well in the NCAA Tournament).
ATTENDANCE RECORDS The 1998 inaugural year attendance for a 16-team field was 50,479. Attendance for the next seven years when the event expanded to 32 teams averaged 83,207 per year. The WNIT attendance record of 18,018 fans in a championship game was set at the 2001 Postseason WNIT finale at New Mexico. The championship game for the 16 years of the postseason event averages nearly 10,000 spectators. Here is a look at the championship game numbers: 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Penn State at Baylor Wisconsin at Arkansas Florida at Wisconsin Ohio State at New Mexico Houston at Oregon Auburn at Baylor UNLV at Creighton West Virginia at SMS Marquette at Kansas State Wisconsin at Wyoming Marquette at Michigan State South Florida at Kansas Miami at California Southern Cal at Toledo JMU at Oklahoma State Utah at Drexel
10,057 14,163 13,006 18,018 6,835 7,414 4,180 8,871 13,340 15,462 7,818 16,113 2,523 7,301 6,157 1,922
TOP-10 CROWDS 1. New Mexico - 18,018 Ohio State at New Mexico, Championship Game 2001 2. Kansas - 16,113 South Florida at Kansas, Championship Game 2009 3. Wyoming - 15,462 Wisconsin at Wyoming, Championship Game 2007
PAST CHAMPIONS 2013 – Drexel 2012 – Oklahoma State 2011 – Toledo 2010 – California 2009 – South Florida 2008 – Marquette 2007 – Wyoming 2006 – Kansas State 2005 – Missouri State 2004 – Creighton 2003 – Auburn 2002 – Oregon 2001 – Ohio State 2000 – Wisconsin 1999 – Arkansas 1998 – Penn State
Page 5
4. Arkansas - 14,163 Wisconsin at Arkansas, Championship Game 1999 5. Kansas State - 13,340 Marquette at Kansas State, Championship Game 2006 6. Wisconsin - 13,006 Florida at Wisconsin, Championship Game 2000 7. Wyoming - 12,225 Kansas State at Wyoming, Semifinal Game 2007 8. Wyoming - 11,253 South Dakota State at Wyoming, Quarterfinal Game 2007 9. New Mexico - 11,213 Drake at New Mexico, Quarterfinal Game 1999 10. New Mexico - 11,090 Hawaii at New Mexico, Semifinal Game 2001 Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
YEAR-BY-YEAR OVERVIEW 1998 – The Postseason WNIT began in March of 1998 and involved 16 teams from around the country. Penn State defeated Baylor in Waco, Texas in front of 10,057 extremely vocal hometown fans. Attendance for the two semifinal games and championship game averaged 7,970 spectators per game.
2009 - South Florida relied on veteran leadership and took a cue from the 2008 Marquette team to win three straight road games, including a championship at Kansas. South Florida edged the Jayhawks 75-71 in front of a Kansas and Big 12 conference record-setting crowd of 16,113 fans at venerable Allen Fieldhouse.
1999 – The event was expanded to involve 32 schools. Arkansas and Wisconsin drew a WNIT record 14,161 women’s basketball fans for the championship matchup at Arkansas.
2010 – California won six straight games, including two on the road, to capture its first national title. The Golden Bears defeated Miami 73-61 in a championship game that showcased some of the nation’s best upand-coming players.
2000 – The tournament saw Wisconsin reach the championship game for the second year in a row. This time, however, Wisconsin was victorious against Florida in front of a crowd of 13,006 fans in Madison, Wis. 2001 – Ohio State overcame a 12-point deficit against New Mexico to beat the host Lobos at The Pit in front of 18,018 fans. This championship game sold out eight hours after tickets went on sale to the general public. The sell-out was the third fastest in the history of the facility. 2002 – Oregon scored with 2.4 seconds remaining to give Oregon the Women's NIT championship with a 54-52 victory over Houston before a season-high 6,835 fans at McArthur Court at Eugene, Ore. 2003 – Auburn overcame a six-point Baylor lead in the final two and a half minutes to win the championship game. Auburn edged Baylor 6463 in front of a deafening crowd of 7,314 at Waco, Texas. The winning basket came with 3.2 seconds left in the contest.
2011 – Toledo steamrolled its way to a championship that energized the entire community. The Rockets hosted all six games, defeating Delaware, Auburn, Alabama, Syracuse, Charlotte, and USC. Toledo sold out its semifinal and championship games at more than 7,000 fans each, which set school and conference attendance records. 2012 – Oklahoma State wrapped up an emotional season that started with the Cowgirls losing head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna in a plane crash. The season ended with an amazing storybook finish as the Cowgirls won game after game, until they defeated JMU 75-68 to win the Postseason WNIT title. 2013 – Drexel (28-10) set a school record for victories and captured the program’s first postseason title by defeating Utah 46-43 after taking the lead with 21 seconds left in the championship game. The Dragons’ route to the title included wins over Auburn, Bowling Green, and Florida.
2004 – Creighton dominated UNLV from start to finish for a 73-52 victory in front of 4,180 fans in Omaha. This was the second largest home crowd in school history for Creighton. 2005 – Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) defeated West Virginia 78-70 in the championship. A sellout crowd of 8,870 vocal fans witnessed the final game for the team before the school changed its name to Missouri State. Jenny Lingor set the WNIT scoring record with 116 points in five games and the team made a WNIT record 58 3-pointers during their tournament run. 2006 – Kansas State overcame a one-point halftime deficit and Marquette’s hot 3-point shooting to win the WNIT championship. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 13,340 – at the time the third largest in WNIT history. 2007 – In the 10th year of the Postseason WNIT, Wyoming rolled with six straight wins, including a 72-56 victory over Wisconsin in the championship. The entire state of Wyoming got behind the Cowgirls, as they sold out the final game in less than 10 hours, and drew 52,541 fans for the entire event, including 15,462 for the championship. 2008 - Marquette beat the odds and became the first team to win three road games in the Postseason WNIT. The Golden Eagles topped Michigan State 81-66 in front of 7,818 fans at the Breslin Center to capture their first postseason championship.
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
Page 6
Postseason WNIT Field Announced
The Women’s National Invitation Tournament Selection Committee announced its 64-team field for the 2014 Postseason WNIT. This year’s field ties the record set in 2013 for the most teams that were crowned regular-season champions in their respected conferences with High Point (Big South), Iona (Metro Atlantic), Navy (Patriot), Lamar (Southland), Indiana State (MVC), Colorado State (MWC), Arkansas State (Sun Belt), Green Bay (Horizon), South Dakota State (Summit), and Bowling Green (MAC). In addition, 35 teams in the field enter postseason play with 20 or more wins. Now in its 17th year, the Postseason WNIT is the second longest current running postseason event for women’s college basketball, behind the NCAA Tournament. In addition, it is the only men’s or women’s postseason tournament – other than the NCAA – to offer an automatic berth to each of the 32 established conferences. Conference USA leads the field with six teams selected, followedby five from the Big East, and four from the Atlantic 10, Big Ten, and Pac-12. The American, MAC, SEC, and WCC each have three schools represented. Other conferences in the field include: Big Sky (2), Big West (2), Ivy (2), Metro Atlantic (2), Patriot (2), Summit (2), ACC (1), America East (1), Atlantic Sun (1), Big 12 (1), Big South (1), Colonial (1), Horizon (1), MEAC (1), Missouri Valley (1), Mountain West (1), NEC (1), Ohio Valley (1), Southern (1), Southland (1), Sun Belt (1), SWAC (1), and WAC (1). The official tournament website is www.womensnit.com. It has the latest news and information regarding the Postseason WNIT. Follow the WNIT on Facebook and Twitter. Please use #WNIT for all tweets.
The Selection Process
The WNIT committee selects 64 teams for its Postseason tournament. The field consists of 32 automatic berths – one from each conference – and 32 at-large teams. The intention of the WNIT Selection Committee is to select the 32 best available at-large teams in the nation. A team that is offered an automatic berth by the WNIT must meet these criteria: 1.) the highest-finishing team in its conference’s regular-season standings, and 2.) is not selected for the NCAA Tournament. A team that fulfills these qualities will earn the WNIT automatic berth for its respective conference, regardless of overall record. The remaining 32 berths in the Postseason WNIT were filled by the best teams available. All Division I teams are eligible for consideration. Any team considered for an at-large berth must have an overall record of .500 or better. Overall record includes conference tournament games.
About the WNIT
The Women’s National Invitation Tournament is an annual tournament involving 64 of the nation’s top women’s Division I basketball teams. All games, including the semifinals and championship, are hosted by participating schools. Every round is single elimination. The WNIT offers teams an opportunity to get more practices in, to experience playoff-atmosphere games, to play in front of passionate fans, and to use their WNIT success as a springboard to the next season. The tournament started in 1998 with 16 teams, expanded to 32 schools in 1999, and then to its current 64-team field in 2010.
Page 1
Tournament Dates Round #1 – March 19-21 Round #2 – March 22-25 Round #3 – March 26-28 Round #4 – March 29-31 Semifinals – April 2-3 All games hosted by participating schools
Championship Game Saturday, April 5, 3 p.m. ET Nationally Televised LIVE in HD
Play-by-Play: Thad Anderson Color Analyst: Ceal Barry
Tournament Field a=Automatic Berth American (Patriot, 22-9) a-Arkansas State (Sun Belt, 22-11) a-Auburn (SEC, 17-14) Ball State (MAC, 18-16) a-Belmont (Ohio Valley, 14-17) a-Bowling Green (MAC, 27-4) Butler (Big East, 15-15) a-Cal Poly (Big West, 18-13) a-CSU Bakersfield (WAC, 19-11) Central Michigan (MAC, 20-11) Charlotte (CUSA, 15-15) Colorado (Pac-12, 17-14) a-Colorado State (MWC, 25-7) a-Creighton (Big East, 19-13) a-Delaware (Colonial, 20-10) Duquesne (Atlantic 10, 19-12) East Carolina (CUSA, 22-8) a-Furman (Southern, 18-12) George Washington (A-10, 21-10) a-Green Bay (Horizon, 22-9) Harvard (Ivy, 21-7) Hawaii (Big West, 17-13) a-High Point (Big South, 22-10) Indiana (Big Ten, 18-12) a-Indiana State (MVC, 20-11) a-Iona (Metro Atlantic, 26-5) IUPUI (Summit, 22-9) a-Lamar (Southland, 18-12) Marquette (Big East, 21-10) a-Miami (FL) (ACC, 16-14) Michigan (Big Ten, 18-13) a-Minnesota (Big Ten, 20-12)
Mississippi State (SEC, 19-13) Missouri (SEC, 17-13) Montana (Big Sky, 22-10) a-Mount St. Mary’s (NEC, 19-13) a-Navy (Patriot, 24-7) a-NC A&T (MEAC, 24-6) Northwestern (Big Ten, 15-15) Old Dominion (CUSA, 17-15) Oregon (Pac-12, 15-15) a-Pacific (WCC, 18-12) a-Princeton (Ivy, 20-8) Quinnipiac (MAAC, 21-12) Rutgers (American, 22-9) Saint Mary’s (WCC, 22-9) San Diego (WCC, 22-8) Seton Hall (Big East, 18-13) SMU (American, 17-13) a-South Dakota State (Summit, 22-9) a-South Florida (American, 19-12) a-Southern Miss (CUSA, 26-6) a-Southern Utah (Big Sky, 22-9) a-St. Bonaventure (Atlantic 10, 23-10) a-Stetson (Atlantic Sun, 26-7) a-Stony Brook (America East, 24-8) a-TCU (Big 12, 18-14) a-Texas Southern (SWAC, 20-12) Tulane (CUSA, 20-10) UTEP (CUSA, 24-7) VCU (Atlantic 10, 22-9) Villanova (Big East, 22-8) a-Washington (Pac-12, 17-13) Washington State (Pac-12, 17-16)
Championship on CBS Sports Network
CBS Sports Network will broadcast the championship game of the Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament live and in HD on Saturday, April 5 at 3 p.m. ET. The broadcast team includes Thad Anderson (play-by-play) and legendary coach Ceal Barry (analyst). Anderson has worked as a play-by-play announcer for 19 years in basketball, baseball, softball, and football. Barry served as Head Coach at the University of Colorado for 22 years where she compiled a 427-242 record, 12 NCAA tournament appearances, including six times in the Sweet 16 and three times in the Elite Eight, 13 20-win seasons, four conference championships and assorted coach of the year honors.
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
Semifinals April 2-3
Championship at TBA 3 p.m. ET Sat. April 5 CBS Sports Network
20
14 Semifinals April 2-3
Quarterfinals March 29-31
Round 2 March 22-25
High Point
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at BGSU
Bowling Green
Mount St. Mary's
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at Duquesne
Duquesne
Stony Brook
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at Michigan
Michigan
Round 1 March 19-21
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
IUPUI
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Cent.Mich.
Ball State Central Michigan
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at N'western
Northwestern
Belmont
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Indiana
Indiana
Marquette
7:05 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Indiana St.
Indiana St.
Missouri
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at Creighton
Creighton
Butler
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at S. Dak. St.
Texas Southern South Dakota St.
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at SMU
SMU
Green Bay
7 pm CT Wed. 3/19 at Minnesota
Minnesota
Arkansas St.
7 pm MT Fri. 3/21 at UTEP
CSU Bakersfield UTEP
6 pm PT Fri. 3/21 at Saint Mary's
Saint Mary's CA
TCU
7 pm MT Wed. 3/19 at Colorado
Colorado
Southern Utah
7 pm MT Thur. 3/20 at Colo. St.
Cal Poly Colorado State
All game times are according to host school’s time zone.
CHAMPIONS
2014 Postseason WNIT
Lamar
Stetson
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Miami
Miami
North Carolina A&T
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at South Florida
East Carolina South Florida
7 pm ET Wed. 3/19 at G. Wash.
George Wash.
Quinnipiac
7 pm ET Wed. 3/19 at Villanova
Villanova
Navy
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at ODU
Old Dominion
Furman
6 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at Auburn
Auburn
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at S. Miss
Southern Miss
Tulane
7 pm CT Thur. 3/20 at MSU
Mississippi St.
American
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Seton Hall
Seton Hall
VCU
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Princeton
Princeton
Delaware
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Rutgers
Rutgers
Harvard
7 pm ET Thur. 3/20 at Iona
Iona
Charlotte
7 pm ET Fri. 3/21 at St. Bonaventure
Quarterfinals March 29-31
Round 3 March 26-28
6 pm PT Thur. 3/20 at San Diego
Round 3 March 26-28
St. Bonaventure
Round 2 March 22-25
San Diego
Washington St.
7 pm MT Wed 3/19 at Montana
Montana
Pacific
7 pm PT Thur. 3/20 at Oregon
Oregon
Hawaii
7 pm PT Fri. 3/21 at Washington
Washington
Round 1 March 19-21
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
Page 3 2
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
DREXEL CAPTURES 2013 WNIT CHAMPIONSHIP SCORE BY PERIODS
Utah Drexel
1ST 2ND F 24 19 43 21 25 46
Attendance: 1,922 Site: Daskalakis Athletic Center, Philadelphia
Records 23-14 28-10
By Drexel Athletics
PHILADELPHIA -- Taylor Wootton will end her career with a win. The senior forward, who has played more games than anyone who has ever worn a Drexel uniform, saved one of her best games for last as she scored a game-high 16 points and added six rebounds to help guide the Drexel women’s basketball team to the 2013 WNIT championship with a 46-43 victory over Utah. Wootton, who has played in a Dragon-record 131 games, became just the 21st player in Drexel women’s basketball history to reach 1,000 career points early in the second half, and finished her career with 1,003. Hollie Mershon will end her career with a win. The senior guard played just one game less than Wootton over the course of her career, and finished the season as Drexel’s leading scorer. She was named the WNIT Most Valuable Player after a performance that saw her score 14 points, including 12 in the second half. Mershon drove down the left side and scored with 21 seconds remaining to give the Dragons a 44-43 lead, and after a Utah turnover, Mershon hit both ends of a 1-and-1 to put the Dragons up by their final margin of three points.
Sideline Photos
Renee Johnson-Allen will end her career with a win. The senior guard finished with six points and three rebounds after a season in which she became arguably the Dragons’ best rebounder despite her 5’6” stature. Johnson-Allen, who started the season’s final 15 games, figured into one of the championship game’s most important plays late in the contest. With the Utes up by a point and taking the ball out of bounds under their own basket, Wootton tipped the inbounds pass to JohnsonAllen, who somehow kept the ball inbounds and helped Drexel regain possession with 30 seconds remaining. That led to Mershon’s go-ahead layup nine seconds later. Drexel (28-10) set a school record for wins and became the first Philadelphia Division I women’s basketball team to win a postseason championship as it completed its run through the WNIT with the victory over Utah (23-14). The Dragons trailed for nearly the entire first half as the Utes seemed to have an answer every time Drexel got close. After seeing a five-point lead in the second half evaporate, the Dragons fought back with Mershon’s late heroics to bring home the championship and bring the Daskalakis Athletic Center crowd of 1,922 storming onto the court to celebrate with their team.
Page 3
Sideline Photos
STATS COMPARISON Utah Points 43 FG Made-Attempted 16-47 FG Percentage 34.0% 3PT Made-Attempted 7-21 3PT Percentage 33.3% FT Made-Attempted 4-5 FT Percentage 80.0% Rebounds 34 Turnovers 9
Drexel 46 19-53 35.8% 5-17 29.4% 3-4 75.0% 30 1
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
RECORD BOOK INDIVIDUAL RECORDS Most Points - Game 45 Tamika Whitmore, Memphis vs. Arkansas St., 3/17/99 Most Points - Tournament 147 Danielle McCray, Kansas (2009) Most Field Goals Made - Game 18 Aisha Hollans, University of Southern California vs. Washington, 3/17/02 Most Field Goals Made - Tournament 54 Toni Young, Oklahoma State (2012) Best Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 12 attempts) .917 Kelsey Kahle, Portland State (11 for 12) vs. Portland, 3/19/09 Most 3-Pointers - Game 9 Jordan Jones, South Carolina vs. NCA&T, 3/21/08 Most 3-Pointers - Tournament 22 Jenny Lingor, Missouri State (2005) Best 3-point Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 6 attempts) 100.0 Valerie Nainima, Long Island (6 for 6), vs. Iona, 3/15/07 Most Free Throws - Game 17 Hanna Zavecz (17 of 24), Wyoming vs. Kansas State, 3/28/07 Most Free Throws - Tournament 47 Hanna Zavecz, Wyoming (2007) Best Free Throw Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 13 attempts) 100.0 Crystal Kelly, Western Kentucky (14 for 14), vs. Minnesota, 3/19/07 100.0 Krysten Boogaard, Kansas (13 for 13), vs. Prairie View A&M, 3/17/10 100.0 Kristi Cirone, Illinois State (13 for 13), vs. Marquette, 3/26/09 100.0 Shantia Grace, South Florida (13 for 13), vs. St. Bonaventure, 3/29/09 Most Rebounds - Game 25 Sophia Young, Baylor vs. Auburn, 4/4/03 Most Rebounds - Tournament 68 Sophia Young, Baylor (2003) Most Offensive Rebounds - Game 12 Shauntal Nobles, Texas Tech vs. University of San Diego, 3/22/12 Most Offensive Rebounds - Tournament 20 Janese Banks, Wisconsin (2007) Most Defensive Rebounds - Game 16 Chucky Jeffery, Colorado vs. Villanova, 3/22/12 Most Defensive Rebounds - Tournament 49 Liz Donohoe, Oklahoma State (2012) Most Assists - Game 13 Ariana Elegado, Cal Poly vs. Washington, 3/14/12 13 Kelsey Corbin, Ball State vs. Kentucky, 3/19/07 13 Dee Dee Pate, Wisconsin vs. Memphis, 3/20/99 Most Assists - Tournament 43 Yolanda Paige, West Virginia (2005) Most Blocks - Game 10 Hillary Carlson, University of Wyoming, vs. Nevada, 3/19/10 Most Blocks - Tournament 22 Allyssa DeHaan, Michigan State (2008) Most Steals - Game 10 Shala Crook, Ball State vs. Valparaiso, 3/16/02 Most Steals - Tournament 18 Tonya Washington, Florida (2000) 18 Bell Tonbi, Florida (2000)
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
TEAM RECORDS Most Points - Game 107 University of Wisconsin vs. Siena College, 03/14/99 Most Points - Tournament 452 University of Wyoming (2007) Most Field Goals - Game 45 University of Illinois vs. Wisconsin Green Bay, 3/15/01 Most Field Goals - Tournament 179 Florida (2000) Best Shooting Percentage - Game .618 South Carolina vs. Hartford, 3/18/07 Most 3-Pointers - Game 17 Missouri State vs. Iowa, 3/28/05 Most 3-Pointers - Tournament 58 Missouri State (2005) Best 3-point Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 10 attempts) .750 University of Wyoming (9 for 12), vs. Nevada, 3/15/07 Most Free Throws - Game 37 University of Wyoming (37 of 52), vs. Kansas State, 3/28/07 Most Free Throws - Tournament 122 University of Wyoming (2007) Best Free Throw Shooting Percentage - Game (min. 15 attempts) 100.0 University of Wisconsin (20 for 20), vs. Western Kentucky, 3/28/07 Most Rebounds - Game 62 Fresno State vs. Santa Clara, 3/21/03 62 Missouri State vs. Oral Roberts, 3/19/10 Most Rebounds - Tournament 273 University of California-Berkeley (2010) Most Offensive Rebounds - Game 32 South Florida vs. Florida, 3/18/10 Most Offensive Rebounds - Tournament 85 University of Wisconsin (2007) Most Defensive Rebounds - Game 44 Illinois State vs. Rice, 3/15/07 Most Defensive Rebounds - Tournament 184 Oklahoma State (2012) Most Assists - Game 28 Kansas State vs. Idaho State, 3/17/06 Most Assists - Tournament 102 Oklahoma State (2012) Most Turnovers - Game 30 Eastern Illinois vs. Marquette, 3/18/10 30 Oral Roberts vs. Missouri State, 3/19/10 Most Turnovers - Tournament 106 James Madison University (2012) Most Steals - Game 23 Northern Colorado vs. Colorado, 3/14/12 Most Steals - Tournament 60 Houston (2002) Most Blocks - Game 16 South Florida vs. Coppin State, 3/19/07 Most Blocks - Tournament 31 James Madison University (2012)
Page 5 4
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
WNIT HISTORY
The Postseason WNIT began in 1998 with 16 teams playing for a postseason crown. The event has undergone four expansions throughout, but its mission has remained the same: To give deserving teams a quality opportunity to play exciting games for a postseason title. Following the inaugural year, the field doubled to 32 teams and remained that way until 2006 when a renewed commitment was made to schools. The WNIT expanded to a 40-team field to give spots to teams that won their regular-season conference title but did not win their conference tournament and therefore were excluded from the NCAA Tournament. The WNIT furthered that commitment to conferences in 2007, when it expanded to 48 teams and awarded an automatic berth to each conference. The number of at-large berths remained at 17 until 2010, when the WNIT felt that the level of women’s basketball warranted an expansion to the 64-team field. The Postseason WNIT is the second longest running postseason tournament in women’s college basketball history behind the NCAA Tournament. Since its inception in 1998, the WNIT has afforded hundreds of opportunities for schools in every conference to play in the postseason. WNIT games showcase the best of women’s basketball, both with fan excitement (The 2009 championship was played in front of a Big 12 record 16,113 fans at Kansas) and level of play (teams that do well in the Post WNIT often make a huge jump the following year to performing well in the NCAA Tournament).
ATTENDANCE RECORDS The 1998 inaugural year attendance for a 16-team field was 50,479. Attendance for the next seven years when the event expanded to 32 teams averaged 83,207 per year. The WNIT attendance record of 18,018 fans in a championship game was set at the 2001 Postseason WNIT finale at New Mexico. The championship game for the 16 years of the postseason event averages nearly 10,000 spectators. Here is a look at the championship game numbers: 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013
Penn State at Baylor Wisconsin at Arkansas Florida at Wisconsin Ohio State at New Mexico Houston at Oregon Auburn at Baylor UNLV at Creighton West Virginia at SMS Marquette at Kansas State Wisconsin at Wyoming Marquette at Michigan State South Florida at Kansas Miami at California Southern Cal at Toledo JMU at Oklahoma State Utah at Drexel
10,057 14,163 13,006 18,018 6,835 7,414 4,180 8,871 13,340 15,462 7,818 16,113 2,523 7,301 6,157 1,922
TOP-10 CROWDS 1. New Mexico - 18,018 Ohio State at New Mexico, Championship Game 2001 2. Kansas - 16,113 South Florida at Kansas, Championship Game 2009 3. Wyoming - 15,462 Wisconsin at Wyoming, Championship Game 2007
PAST CHAMPIONS 2013 – Drexel 2012 – Oklahoma State 2011 – Toledo 2010 – California 2009 – South Florida 2008 – Marquette 2007 – Wyoming 2006 – Kansas State 2005 – Missouri State 2004 – Creighton 2003 – Auburn 2002 – Oregon 2001 – Ohio State 2000 – Wisconsin 1999 – Arkansas 1998 – Penn State
Page 5
4. Arkansas - 14,163 Wisconsin at Arkansas, Championship Game 1999 5. Kansas State - 13,340 Marquette at Kansas State, Championship Game 2006 6. Wisconsin - 13,006 Florida at Wisconsin, Championship Game 2000 7. Wyoming - 12,225 Kansas State at Wyoming, Semifinal Game 2007 8. Wyoming - 11,253 South Dakota State at Wyoming, Quarterfinal Game 2007 9. New Mexico - 11,213 Drake at New Mexico, Quarterfinal Game 1999 10. New Mexico - 11,090 Hawaii at New Mexico, Semifinal Game 2001 Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
2014 POSTSEASON WNIT Notes and Records www.womensnit.com
YEAR-BY-YEAR OVERVIEW 1998 – The Postseason WNIT began in March of 1998 and involved 16 teams from around the country. Penn State defeated Baylor in Waco, Texas in front of 10,057 extremely vocal hometown fans. Attendance for the two semifinal games and championship game averaged 7,970 spectators per game.
2009 - South Florida relied on veteran leadership and took a cue from the 2008 Marquette team to win three straight road games, including a championship at Kansas. South Florida edged the Jayhawks 75-71 in front of a Kansas and Big 12 conference record-setting crowd of 16,113 fans at venerable Allen Fieldhouse.
1999 – The event was expanded to involve 32 schools. Arkansas and Wisconsin drew a WNIT record 14,161 women’s basketball fans for the championship matchup at Arkansas.
2010 – California won six straight games, including two on the road, to capture its first national title. The Golden Bears defeated Miami 73-61 in a championship game that showcased some of the nation’s best upand-coming players.
2000 – The tournament saw Wisconsin reach the championship game for the second year in a row. This time, however, Wisconsin was victorious against Florida in front of a crowd of 13,006 fans in Madison, Wis. 2001 – Ohio State overcame a 12-point deficit against New Mexico to beat the host Lobos at The Pit in front of 18,018 fans. This championship game sold out eight hours after tickets went on sale to the general public. The sell-out was the third fastest in the history of the facility. 2002 – Oregon scored with 2.4 seconds remaining to give Oregon the Women's NIT championship with a 54-52 victory over Houston before a season-high 6,835 fans at McArthur Court at Eugene, Ore. 2003 – Auburn overcame a six-point Baylor lead in the final two and a half minutes to win the championship game. Auburn edged Baylor 6463 in front of a deafening crowd of 7,314 at Waco, Texas. The winning basket came with 3.2 seconds left in the contest.
2011 – Toledo steamrolled its way to a championship that energized the entire community. The Rockets hosted all six games, defeating Delaware, Auburn, Alabama, Syracuse, Charlotte, and USC. Toledo sold out its semifinal and championship games at more than 7,000 fans each, which set school and conference attendance records. 2012 – Oklahoma State wrapped up an emotional season that started with the Cowgirls losing head coach Kurt Budke and assistant coach Miranda Serna in a plane crash. The season ended with an amazing storybook finish as the Cowgirls won game after game, until they defeated JMU 75-68 to win the Postseason WNIT title. 2013 – Drexel (28-10) set a school record for victories and captured the program’s first postseason title by defeating Utah 46-43 after taking the lead with 21 seconds left in the championship game. The Dragons’ route to the title included wins over Auburn, Bowling Green, and Florida.
2004 – Creighton dominated UNLV from start to finish for a 73-52 victory in front of 4,180 fans in Omaha. This was the second largest home crowd in school history for Creighton. 2005 – Southwest Missouri State (now Missouri State) defeated West Virginia 78-70 in the championship. A sellout crowd of 8,870 vocal fans witnessed the final game for the team before the school changed its name to Missouri State. Jenny Lingor set the WNIT scoring record with 116 points in five games and the team made a WNIT record 58 3-pointers during their tournament run. 2006 – Kansas State overcame a one-point halftime deficit and Marquette’s hot 3-point shooting to win the WNIT championship. The game was played in front of a sellout crowd of 13,340 – at the time the third largest in WNIT history. 2007 – In the 10th year of the Postseason WNIT, Wyoming rolled with six straight wins, including a 72-56 victory over Wisconsin in the championship. The entire state of Wyoming got behind the Cowgirls, as they sold out the final game in less than 10 hours, and drew 52,541 fans for the entire event, including 15,462 for the championship. 2008 - Marquette beat the odds and became the first team to win three road games in the Postseason WNIT. The Golden Eagles topped Michigan State 81-66 in front of 7,818 fans at the Breslin Center to capture their first postseason championship.
Media Contact: Andy Hansen | (970) 672-0517 | [email protected] www.womensnit.com 3930 Automation Way - Fort Collins, CO 80525
Page 6
