Women's Basketball Gets Good News: NCAA Bound

March 03, 2008

For the first time in seven seasons, St. Thomas is back in the NCAA Division III women's basketball playoffs. Coach Ruth Sinn's Tommies, the MIAC co-champion, lost in overtime Saturday to Carleton but still received one of 21 Pool C (at-large) berths.

St. Thomas made 15 consecutive NCAA playoff trips from 1987-2001.

The Tommies will play Friday night at a four-team grouping in Stevens Point, Wis. At, 6 p.m., UST (20-7) faces the University of Chicago (20-5). At 8 p.m., St. Norbert (21-4) plays hosts UW-Stevens Point (24-4). Friday's winners play Saturday at 7 p.m. for the right to advance to the round of 16.

Besides automatic qualifier Carleton, the MIAC also got a third team in as third-place finisher Gustavus, which lost two of its last three games by doubloe digits, made it in with 18 wins. Gustavus had important win over UW-Eau Claire and split with St. Ben's. Co-champion St. Benedict did not make the field despite a 20-win season. The Blazers closed with an overtime road loss at St. Thomas and a 64-60 home loss to Carleton.

Gustavus and Carleton will play Friday in Indialola, Iowa. Carleton plays UW-Eau Claire, while Gustavus plays Simpson.

The Wisconsin state university conference also has three teams in the field.

Pairings and brackets for the 63-team field will be announced Monday morning.