Women's Basketball Headed to Boston University for WNIT First Round Action

Central Connecticut will face Boston University on Thursday, March 19 in the Postseason Women's National Invitational Tournament. The Blue Devils, who are currently 18-13, earned the Northeast Conference's automatic berth after finishing second during the regular season. The WNIT appearance is Central Connecticut's first during its NCAA Division I history. The Blue Devils had not been selected for play past conference tournament action until this season. The game time for Thursday will be announced when it becomes available.

WNIT
WNIT selection release
WNIT bracket

Led by second-year head coach Beryl Piper, the Blue Devils have the best turnaround in NCAA Division I this season. Central Connecticut has improved its win total by 14 games after finishing 4-25 last season. The team's 18 wins are the most since the 1997-98 season. The Blue Devils also matched a program best with 12 league wins. They went 12-6 in the NEC during the regular season and advanced to the tournament semifinals before losing, 73-62, versus St. Francis (PA).

"Playing in the postseason will be a great experience for our players," Piper said. "Our team is so young, so this opportunity will only impact us in a positive way for next year. This team has accomplished so much this season. This is just another feather in their cap. I am so proud of our players and all their accomplishments."

Northeast Conference All-Rookie Team selection Shontice Simmons leads the Blue Devils in scoring, assists and steals. She averages 12.4 points and has 109 steals and 56 steals. Second team All-NEC honoree Kerrianne Dugan, a sophomore, adds 11.5 points and 5.7 rebounds. She also ranks second on the team in assists (88) and steals (49). They are two of six players averaging more than 7.0 points and 4.0 rebounds.

Boston University, now 24-7 on the season, won the America East regular season championship with an unblemished 16-0 mark. The Terriers had their 19-game winning streak snapped by Vermont in the America East tournament championship on Sunday, March 15.

CCSUBlueDevils.com will provide free audio for Central Connecticut's first round WNIT action. Roger Houston will have the call. Check out mediaCENTRAL for more information on how to listen.

Game notes and an In the Paint session with Coach Piper will be available on CCSUBlueDevils.com tomorrow.

NOTE: Thursday's winner will play at Boston College on Monday, March 23.