"Lady Cougars Earn Berth in NCCAA National Tournament"

written by Dave Parsons, Assistant Sports Information Director

   For only the second time in school history, the Mount Vernon Nazarene College women's basketball team has qualified for the National Christian College Athletic Association National Tournament. This year's tournament will be held at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee, on March 11-14.

   The Lady Cougars (18-16) earned their trip with a 74-58 victory over top-seeded Roberts Wesleyan (NY) College in the championship game after disposing of Nyack (NY) College 82-50 in the semifinals.

   This season marked the first time in four years that MVNC has even qualified for the NCCAA East Region Tournament. The Lady Cougars won the NCCAA national title in their only other appearance in the national tournament in 1994.

   MVNC, the sixth seed, will face third-seeded Trinity Christian (IL) College in the first round of the eight-team tournament on Thursday evening at 6:00 p.m. The Lady Trolls (18-11) lead the NCCAA in rebounding margin by outrebounding their opponents by 10.4 boards per game.

   Other first round games will feature top-seeded and defending NCCAA champion LeTourneau (TX) University versus eighth-seeded Northwest (WA) College at 2:00 p.m. Second-seeded Emmanuel (GA) College will take on Indiana Wesleyan University, the seventh seed, at 4:00 p.m. Then, following the MVNC-Trinity Christian game, host Lee (TN) University, the fourth seed, will face fifth-seeded Oakland City (IN) University at 8:00 p.m.

   Below is a look at the eight teams that make up the tournament field. For more information on the NCCAA and/or this tournament, visit the Official NCCAA Website.