Orange Makes it Three Consecutive
3/15/2010 11:45:42 PM | Women's Basketball
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SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Orange women's basketball team (22-10) will make its third consecutive postseason appearance when it hosts Harvard (20-8) in the first round of the WNIT Tournament at Manley Field House on Thursday, March 18 at 7 p.m. It marks the second straight season the Orange qualified for the WNIT Tournament. The Orange recorded the program's first postseason victory in the opening round against Canisius, 90-65. It is SU's third postseason appearance in four years under the direction of fourth-year head coach Quentin Hillsman.
Tickets for SU's game against the Harvard Crimson will go on sale at the Carrier Dome Box Office at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, March 16, as well as at the door. Patrons may also call the Box Office at 888-DOMETIX and press “0”. All tickets will be general admission and sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket prices are $10 for adults, $5 for students or youth 12 and under.
Syracuse's 22 wins this season ties the school record for the most victories in a season since SU began competing in the NCAA in 1981-82. SU has posted three consecutive winning seasons for the first time since it posted six straight from 1984-85 to 1989-90.The Orange is making its sixth postseason appearance, including four NCAA Tournaments.
The winner of the Syracuse-Harvard game will face either Delaware or Richmond in the second round.
The Orange is 2-1 all-time against the Crimson, including a 2-0 mark in Syracuse.
Harvard went 20-9 overall and 11-3 in the Ivy League to finish second in the standings and earn an automatic bid to the WNIT. The Crimson recorded its ninth 20 win season and posted a 12-1 record at home. Three members of the Harvard women's basketball team were named to the 2010 All-Ivy League team as announced by the conference office. Junior Emma Markley led the way by earning first-team All-Ivy League honors, while sophomore Brogan Berry and freshman Victoria Lippert were named to the second-team.
The WNIT is an annual tournament involving 64 of the nation's top women's Division I basketball teams. All games, including the semifinals and championship, are hosted by participating schools, while every round is single elimination.
The Tournament features 32 first-round games, followed by 16 second-round games, eight third-round games, four quarterfinal games, two semifinal games, and the championship. The event offers 31 automatic berths, one to each established conference, and 33 at-large berths.
The Postseason WNIT began in 1998 with 16 teams playing for a postseason crown. The WNIT is committed to offering deserved opportunities to women's basketball programs, and the 2010 Postseason WNIT will be the first event to feature a full 64-team bracket.
