March 9, 2008
San Antonio – St. Mary’s University’s upset win over St. Edward’s University earned the Rattlers an automatic bid to the NCAA Division II South Central Region this Saturday in Stephenville, where they will face top-seeded Tarleton State University.
The Rattlers (17-12 overall) take a five-game win streak into the tournament, including their 79-70 overtime win against St. Edward’s in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship on Saturday night in Denton. The Rattlers advance to the NCAA Division II Postseason for the fourth time overall, and the first time since the 2004-05 season.
St. Mary’s will face host Tarleton State, who brings a 23-6 record into the tournament and advanced to the semifinals of the Lone Star Conference Tournament last weekend. Fellow Heartland Conference school St. Edward’s University also advanced to NCAA South Central Region, marking the first time that the conference has two men’s team in the NCAA Tournament. The Hilltoppers were the seventh seed in the tournament and will face second seed Northwest Missouri State University in the first round. Third-seeded University of Central Oklahoma, the Lone Star Conference Champions will face sixth-seeded Fort Hays State, while fourth seed West Texas A&M University will take on fifth-seeded Southwest Baptist University.
The Rattlers were not ranked in the last NCAA South Central Region rankings, but qualified for the tournament, thanks to earning the Heartland Conference’s automatic berth.
2008 South Central Region Tournament Schedule
#1 Tarleton State (23-6) vs. #8 St. Mary’s (17-10)
#2 Northwest Missouri State (23-7)vs. #7 St. Edward’s (23-6)
#3 Central Oklahoma (25-5) vs. #6 Fort Hays State (19-10)
#4 West Texas A&M (21-7) vs. #5 Southwest Baptist (21-7)