3 Things You Need To Know: Women?s Hoops Vs. Northern Kentucky
3/22/2014 4:28:00 PM | Women's Basketball
CHARLESTON, S.C. – Following a resounding 85-71 victory over USC Upstate on Thursday night in the first round of the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI), the College of Charleston women's hoops team is set for a massive home showdown with No. 3 seed Northern Kentucky tonight at TD Arena, where tip-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
Here are the three things you need to know ahead of tonight's clash:
1) IT'S THE QUARTERFINALS OF THE WBI
It has been a banner year for the College of Charleston women's basketball team as the Cougars have played 32 games, claimed 18 wins, defeated four teams who played in the postseason just a year ago, finished third in the CAA, advanced to the semifinals of the conference championship and earned themselves a No. 2 seed in the west region of the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI). All that hard work, sacrifice and effort has now led to this: a 7:00 p.m. WBI quarterfinal showdown with the Norse of Northern Kentucky, where a berth in the tournament semifinals awaits the winner. This time of year in college basketball is all about cutting down the nets, and for head coach Natasha Adair and the rest of the women's basketball team – this is their last chance of the season.
2) IT'S A REMATCH OF LAST YEAR'S WBI FIRST ROUND
The Cougars return to the WBI this season marks the first time in the programs D-1 history that women's hoops will be participating in post season play for the second consecutive season. Last year, in the 2013 edition of the WBI, the Cougars and the Norse met in the first round, in Highland Heights, KY., where the Cougars won a thriller, 72-70 to advance to the quarterfinals. Alyssa Frye knocked down six three-pointers en route to 20 points against the Norse, while Afreyea Tolbert scored 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds. With time running out, Jill Brown hit one of two from the free throw line before the Cougars got a stop on the last play of the game to secure victory.
3) THE COUGARS ARE NOW THE TOP SEED IN THE WEST REGION
Following No. 1 seed Grand Canyon's shocking first round defeat to No. 8 Boise State, the Cougars are now the top seed in the west region. This means that on top of facing lower seeded opposition in the quarters and – should the Cougars advance – the semifinals, The College will also play host over the next two games in the run up to a potential place in the WBI Championship game. The top seed in the east region is Eastern Michigan, who defeated Evansville, 78-65 on Thursday night.
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