COLUMBIA, Ky. -- The Lindsey Wilson College women's basketball team earned its third consecutive and seventh overall trip to the NAIA National Championship. The Blue Raiders received a No. 8 seed and will face top seeded and third ranked Vanguard (Calif.) University in the first round at 2:15 p.m. CT on Thursday, March 18 in Jackson, Tenn.
"We're excited to be a part of this great field and for the opportunity to compete against one of the very best teams in the NAIA," Lindsey Wilson head coach John B. Wethington said. "Vanguard is a terrific team and Coach (Russ) Davis does an outstanding job. I know he will have his team ready to play."
Lindsey Wilson finished the regular season with a 20-11 overall record and fourth in the Mid-South Conference with an 8-6 league record. The Mid-South Conference received three bids overall with Campbellsville (Ky.) University earning a No. 2 seed and MSC Tournament champion University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) taking a No. 4 seed.
The Blue Raiders are led by junior Viktoria Krell, averaging 16.8 points per game, while also pulling down 10.1 rebounds. Senior Sierra Rambert averages 12.2 points and 4.3 rebounds, while sophomore Lindsey Waters is scoring 10.7 points per game with 6.1 rebounds in her first season with the team.
Lindsey Wilson was ranked as high as No. 17 in the Preseason NAIA Coaches' Poll and opened the season with a five-game winning streak. This will be the first meeting between Vanguard and Lindsey Wilson in the regular or post season. The Blue Raiders have won their first-round game of the tournament in the past two seasons.
"We've had some success the last couple of years in Jackson and this year's team really believes in itself," Wethington said. "You never know what's going to happen in tournament play. We're just eager to get down there and play."
Vanguard enters the national tournament with a 25-2 overall record and 18-2 mark in Golden State Athletic Conference play. The Lions repeated as GSAC Tournament champions with a 68-66 win over Westmont (Calif.) College on Monday.
The Lions are led by Bridgette Reyes averaging 20.3 points per game and 4.7 rebounds, while Rachel Copeland is scoring 16.8 points per game and grabbing 4.5 rebounds per contest.
The winner between the Blue Raiders and Lions will advance to the second round and face the winner of No. 4 seed Columbia (Mo.) University and No. 5 seed Bethel (Tenn.) College at 2:15 p.m. CT on Friday, March 19.
Game Notes
No. 1 seed Vanguard (Calif.) University (25-2, 18-2 GSAC) vs. No. 8 seed Lindsey Wilson College (20-11, 8-6 MSC)
Date: Thursday, March 18
Time: 2:15 p.m. CT
Site: Oman Arena, Jackson, Tenn.
Series History: First meeting
National Rankings: Vanguard is ranked No. 3 in the final NAIA Women's Basketball Coaches' Top 25 Poll of the season, while Lindsey Wilson is receiving votes in the poll.
