No. 1 seed CWU to host West Regional this weekend

Central Washington University will be the host site for the women's NCAA Division II West Regional basketball tournament this weekend after the Wildcats were awarded a No. 1 seed on Sunday.

Despite falling to Montana State-Billings (MSUB) in the semifinals of the Great Northwest Athletic Conference tournament last Friday, CWU received the top seed in the West Region for the first time in program history after compiling a record of 23-6.

As reported on WildcatSports.com, the Wildcats will face MSUB again in their opener Friday, March 13. Tipoff will be at 5 p.m. at Nicholson Arena.

The No. 8 seed Yellowjackets surged to the GNAC championship last weekend, defeating top-seeded Western Washington in the title game. MSUB barely qualified for the the GNAC tournament, but took down the top three seeds on consecutive days to earn an automatic berth to the D-II tournament. CWU won both regular season meetings, although the ‘Cats needed overtime to beat the Yellowjackets on February 12.

The Wildcats have advanced to the NCAA tournament in four of the past five seasons under head coach Randi Richardson, and they will try to improve upon last season’s run to the Sweet 16 behind GNAC Player of the Year Asher Cai.

Second-team all-conference selections Capri Sims and Fiona Snashall, and honorable mention pick Annalee Coronado will also play a key role for CWU as they look to win the West for a second straight year.

Joining the Wildcats and Yellowjackets in this weekend's West Regional tournament will be Western Washington, Cal Poly Pomona, Vanguard, Cal State LA, Azusa Pacific, and Point Loma. The first game begins at noon Friday, and the championship will be held Monday, March 16, at 7 p.m.

More information about the NCAA West Regional is available on the tournament website.