BYU Earns NIT Bid, Hosts Bowling Green Wednesday

PROVO -- After advancing to the championship game of the Mountain West Conference Tournament and earning a 20-10 record, BYU has received an invitation to the NIT Tournament -- its first post-season tournament since 1995. The Cougars will host Bowling Green of the Mid-American Conference Wednesday at 7 p.m. in the Marriott Center.

"Receiving this invitation is a reflection of three years of hard work," BYU coach Steve Cleveland said. "Our goal all along was to get into a post-season tournament. This is an indication that we are making strides with our program. This is good for our team and our community."

Tickets for the game go on sale Monday at 9 a.m. at the Marriott Center ticket office or by calling 378-BYU1 or 800-322-BYU1. Tickets will be sold on a first-come-first serve basis. Below concourse chair seats cost $14; above concourse chair $10; above concourse bench $8 and student tickets $4.

More info available at www.NIT.org on the web.

"I'm excited for Coach Cleveland and his staff and players," BYU Athletic Director Val Hale said. "Their goal was to make a post-season tournament and this is a good step for them and a nice reward for a job well done this season. I hope our fans will support the team by coming to the game and giving us a great home court advantage."

Bowling Green has a 22-7 record and won the MAC regular season title with a 14-4 record. The Falcons, who won their second conference title in the last four years, are led by MAC Player of the Year Anthony Stacey, a 6-4 forward who averages 17 points and six rebounds per game.

The Cougars have a 9-5 NIT record in seven previous appearances and have two NIT titles to their credit (1951 and 1966). BYU last played in the NIT in 1994, defeating Arizona State (74-67) in the first round at home before falling to Fresno State (68-66) on the road. Prior to this year's bid, BYU had participated in the NIT in 1951, 1953, 1954, 1966, 1982, 1986 and 1994.

The winner of Wednesday's game will advance to face the winner of Southern Illinois and Colorado on March 20th or 21st at a site yet to be determined.