Cougar Women Host Denver In WNIT

PROVO -- For the second straight year and the sixth overall, the BYU women’s basketball team will participate in March Madness competing in the 2011 Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). The Cougars (23-8) will host Denver (19-11) on Thurs. Mar. 17.

“We’re excited to play in the postseason,” said BYU head coach Jeff Judkins.

“I know our team is happy to continue playing and they want to have success.”

BYU has a 6-5 record in the tournament including its impressive run last season advancing to the quarterfinal round before losing to eventual champion California in Berkeley.

The Women’s National Invitation Tournament consists of 64 Division I women’s basketball teams who compete at participating schools including the semifinals and the championships. Every round is single elimination.

The Postseason WNIT features 32 first-round games, followed by 16 second-round games, eight third-round games, four quarterfinal games, two semifinal games and the championship. All games are played at campus sites. The title game is scheduled for Saturday, April 2.

BYU along with TCU and Wyoming are the three teams from the MWC who received invitations to play in this year’s WNIT and are all hosting first round matchups. The Cougars were the automatic qualifier while the Horned Frogs and the Cowgirls received at-large berths.

The start time for Thursday’s game and ticket prices will be announced by the WNIT Tuesday.