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Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats
Live Audio (KOOL 106.5 FM WKCH for Friday; 940 AM WFAW for Saturday, if necessary)
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Hope Women's Basketball Web Page
Thomas More Women's Basketball Web Page
NCAA Women's Basketball Web Page
NCAA Tournament Digital Program
 

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater women's basketball team opens NCAA Division III Tournament play Friday against 18th-ranked Hope (Mich.) at 4 p.m. Central Time.


The Warhawks earned an automatic bid to the national tournament after winning their first-ever Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Tournament championship, while the Flying Dutch claimed a Pool C, or at-large, berth out of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. UW-Whitewater is making its 16th NCAA appearance, while Hope is appearing in its 18th national tournament.


For fans traveling to the games, tickets will be available at the door, and doors will open Friday at 3 p.m. Central Time and Saturday at 4 p.m. Central Time. Cost of admission is $7 for adults, $4 for senior citizens and students and free for children two years of age and under.

Last Time Out

The Warhawks sprinted out to a 30-point lead through three quarters and held on late for a 65-56 at then-No. 10 UW-Oshkosh in the WIAC Tournament championship game. UW-Whitewater held the Titans to 33.3 percent shooting, including 21.4 percent in the first half, and forced 20 turnovers that led to 27 points at the other end of the floor. The team also hit 23-of-34 from the free-throw line.

In The Rankings

The Warhawks enter the week receiving votes in the D3hoops.com Women's Top 25 poll. The team was fifth in the latest NCAA Central Region rankings. After extending its regular season non-conference winning streak to 20 games with an 8-0 start, UW-Whitewater fell at Augustana before embarking on another eight-game unbeaten streak. The team wrapped up the regular season at 10-4 in WIAC play to finish second in the league standings. Hope is ranked 15th in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association NCAA Division III Top 25 Coaches' Poll and 18th by D3hoops.com.

Friday's Opponent

Hope, which began the season with 11 straight wins, was edged 67-65 against rival Calvin (Mich.) on Feb. 24 in the MIAA Tournament semifinals. The Flying Dutch held a 20-10 advantage through the first quarter and led by five two minutes into the fourth quarter before Calvin took the lead for good with 4:30 to play. Hope had one last chance in the waning moments of the contest, but a 3-pointer was no good.

Series

Friday's meeting is the fourth between the two programs. Two of the three meetings came during the 2012-13 season, when Hope downed UW-Whitewater 63-52 during the regular season and the Warhawks posted a 65-60 triumph over the Flying Dutch in the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Tournament at Kachel Gymnasium to reach the Final Four. UW-Whitewater jumped out to a 30-12 lead in that contest and held on after Hope drew to within two points with 2:49 left in the game.

Up Next

The winner of Friday's contest advances to Saturday's second round against the winner of Friday's other first round game featuring Eureka (Ill.) and host No. 2/3 Thomas More (Ky.). Tipoff of Saturday's affair is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Central Time.


For the complete UW-Whitewater women's basketball game notes, click here.