March 11, 2001
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. - For the 17th time in the last 18 seasons, the Western Kentucky University women's basketball team has been selected to appear in postseason play. The Lady Toppers will square off with Southeastern Conference member Mississippi in the first round of the 2001 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) at 7 p.m. (CST) Wednesday (March 14) at E.A. Diddle Arena.
"We are excited to have the opportunity to compete in the WNIT," WKU head coach Steve Small said. "It gives our young team the chance to gain some valuable postseason experience which will certainly benefit us down the road. We're also thrilled to be playing at home against such a strong opponent. Ole Miss is a very talented team from the nation's toughest conference and it's a testament to our loyal and dedicated fans that we have been chosen to host this game."
It will be the third trip to the WNIT for Western Kentucky, but its first since the tournament took on its current 32-team, single-elimination format in 1998. The Lady Toppers made two prior visits to the National Women's Invitation Tournament (NWIT) -- in 1984 and 1996 -- when it was an eight-team event held in Amarillo, Texas.
Western is one of four Sun Belt Conference schools to be tapped for this year's WNIT field. Florida International, Middle Tennessee and North Texas were also selected for postseason play, with MTSU looming as a possible second-round opponent for the Lady Toppers. And, when the WNIT quartet is combined with the selections of Louisiana Tech and Denver to the NCAA Tournament, the Sun Belt will have half of its membership (six teams) participating in postseason competition.
Playing with six newcomers, including five freshmen, on this year's roster, the Lady Toppers have compiled a 17-13 record, assuring themselves of a winning record for the 19th consecutive year. They have also recorded wins over NCAA Tournament participants Louisville, Denver and (then) #13 Southwest Missouri State, as well as WNIT qualifier Florida International. In addition, Western boasts two of the nation's leading scorers in junior guard Natalie Powers (22.0 ppg - 9th NCAA) and senior All-America forward ShaRae Mansfield (19.0 ppg - 36th NCAA).
Ole Miss brings a 17-12 record to Diddle Arena, including a 4-10 mark in the SEC this season. The Rebels opened the season with 11 consecutive wins, but have stumbled down the stretch, losing six of their last eight games, including an SEC Tournament quarterfinal loss to #4 Georgia in their last outing on March 2.
The WKU Athletics Ticket Office in Diddle Arena (270-745-5222 or 1-800-5-BIG RED) will be open extended hours (until 6 p.m.) Monday and Tuesday to assist fans wishing to purchase tickets for WKU's first-round WNIT game against Ole Miss. Ticket applications will be held upon presentation of a MasterCard, VISA or Discover Card.
-- WKU --
