San Antonio – St. Mary’s University was picked as the fifth seed and will face Emporia State University in the first round of the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball South Central Region Tournament on Friday in Canyon.

The Rattlers (24-5 overall) won the Heartland Conference regular season title with a 12-2 record. Emporia State University (25-5) won the regular season title of the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association, but fell in the tournament championship game to Washburn University 78-69 on Saturday. The game time for the Rattlers-Hornets game, and all other tournament games, will be announced on Monday.

The Rattlers are coming off a 61-59 loss to the University of the Incarnate Word in the Heartland Conference Tournament Championship game on Saturday at Bill Greehey Arena. The Rattlers have advanced to the NCAA South Central Region Tournament more than any other member of the Heartland Conference. Natalie Gamez (Sr., San Antonio) was a first team All-Heartland Conference pick this season and leads the Rattlers in scoring with 16.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game this season. Rachel Jones (Sr., Little Rock, Ark.) was also named first team All-Heartland and was picked to the Heartland Conference Tournament All-Tournament team.

St. Mary’s advanced to the NCAA South Central Regional for the fifth time in school history with the bid, including three trips in the last four years. St. Mary’s are advancing to the NCAA South Central Region Tournament for the second straight year. They fell to the University of Central Oklahoma in the first round of the 2007-2008 tournament by a 75-73 count in overtime.

Excitement is building as the Rattlers head to the regional tournament because St. Mary’s will host the NCAA Division II Women’s Elite 8 (March 24, 25 and 27) in Bill Greehey Arena. The winner of the NCAA South Central Region Tournament will advance to the NCAA Championships at Bill Greehey Arena.

NCAA South Central Region Tournament
Canyon, Texas
Quarterfinals – Friday, March 13
Game 1 – #1 West Texas A&M vs. #8 Abilene Christian
Game 2 – #4 Emporia State vs. #5 St. Mary’s
Game 3 – #3 Central Oklahoma vs. #6 Southeastern Oklahoma State
Game 4 – #2 Washburn vs. #7 Incarnate Word

Semifinals – Saturday, March 14
Game 1 winner vs. Game 2 winner
Game 3 winner vs. Game 4 winner

Championship – Monday, March 16

All Game Times to be Announced Monday

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