March 12, 2009

California PA - The Fayetteville State women's basketball team will open the NCAA Division II Atlantic Regional Friday, March 13 against the third seed Gannon University at California University of Pennsylvania. The NCAA regional quarterfinal game is scheduled for 1 p.m. Fans may follow the game via the internet at http://www.fsubroncos.com (click on the gametracker link associated with the schedule at the bottom of the page) or listen to the Lady Knights radio broadcast at http://www.gannon.edu/athletics/werg/knightsound.html.

Friday will mark the sixth appearance for Fayetteville State in the NCAA Regional Tournament. Head Coach Eric Tucker hit a milestone in 1997 when he took the university to its first post-season NCAA Tournament. Fayetteville State and the CIAA has previously been classified in the South Atlantic and Mid-Atlantic Regions. This is the first year that the CIAA has participated in the Atlantic Region.

Gannon University (24-4 overall) will be making its second NCAA DII Tournament appearance in the last three years. The Lady Knights advanced to the second round of the 2007 event, defeating Grand Valley State 66-59 in the first round. This weekend's tournament is the sixth in the program's 35-year history. The Lady Knights are 2-5 in national tournament play. Head Coach Cleve Wright began his career at Gannon seven years ago. To date, he has a 128-73 coaching record.

With a win Friday afternoon against Gannon, Coach Tucker will accomplish another plateau with his 300th victory against NCAA opponents. The winner of GU-FSU game will face the winner of #7 Johnson C. Smith versus #2 Indiana (PA) on Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 p.m.

The official NCAA Division II Women's Basketball Atlantic Regional Web site can be found at http://www.calvulcans.com/sports/2009/3/5/WBB_0305090617.aspx?id=134.