Ball State accepts WNIT invite

DN PHOTO SAMANTHA BRAMMER
DN PHOTO SAMANTHA BRAMMER

WNIT Schedule

First Round - March 18-20

Second Round - March 21-24

Third Round - March 25-27

Quarterfinals - March 28-30

Semifinals - April 1-2

Finals - April 4


Despite falling short in its goal to reach the Mid-American Conference title, the Ball State women's basketball team has accepted a bid to participate in the Women's National Invitation Tournament.

"Even though the loss [in the conference tournament semi-finals] hurts, we still feel like we have a good shot in the WNIT," head coach Brady Sallee said.

Ball State automatically qualified for the WNIT as the tournament's next highest seed, when top-seeded Ohio won the championship over Eastern Michigan, who defeated Ball State in the semifinals.

This will be the third consecutive year the Cardinals will participate in the WNIT, and the first time in the three-year span they automatically qualified.

Two seasons ago, Ball State reached the final 16 of the WNIT, before falling to Kansas State. This was the first time since 2009 that the Cardinals had won a game in post-season tournament action.

Last season, however, Ball State was eliminated in the first round by Northwestern.

This year's team enters the WNIT with a chip on its shoulder to finish better than last season. The Cardinals also have experience on their side.

Only three players on the squad have not seen WNIT play, and two players, junior Nathalie Fontaine and senior Shelbie Justice, were on the team that went to the final 16.

"With so much experience, we kind of walk in with the feeling that we have been there; so that boosts our confidence," Sallee said.

The Cardinals enter the tournament with their best regular season record under Sallee. 

Ball State's overall record (17-12) and MAC record (13-5) were bests since Sallee took over in 2008, though Sallee said the records don't matter as the postseason approaches.

"Some time, once the season is completely done, I'll have time to reflect on it all," he said. "But right now there is still plenty of work to be done."

The WNIT website will release the official bracket on March 16 between 11 p.m. and midnight, several hours after the women's NCAA Tournament announcement.

Once the announcement is made, the Cardinals will have a few days to prepare before the first round games take place March 18-20.

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