March 13, 2009
CANYON–St. Mary’s University is set to face Emporia State University in the first round of the NCAA South Central Region Women’s Basketball Tournament in Canyon today at 6 p.m. Live statistics of the game will be available over the internet at www.ncaa.com/brackets/2009/ncaa_bracket_DII_basketball_women.html and then click on the Emporia State-St. Mary’s slot in the bracket.
The Rattlers (24-5 overall) are currently ranked 21st in the nation and won the Heartland Conference regular season title with a 12-2 record. They are the fifth seed in the South Central Region Tournament. Emporia State University is ranked 13th in the nation and won the Mid-American Intercollegiate Athletics Association regular season title. They are the fourth seed in the South Central Region Tournament.
The winner of the St. Mary’s-Emporia State game will face the winner of the matchup between the eighth seeded Abilene Christian University Wildcats and the top-seeded West Texas A&M University Buffaloes matchup on Saturday at 8 p.m. The South Central Region Tournament championship will be Monday at 7 p.m.
The winner of the South Central Region Tournament will travel to San Antonio to participate in the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on March 24, 25 and 27. St. Mary’s is the host school for the event and if the Rattlers win the South Central Region Tournament they would play on their home floor for the Elite Eight.