SBU LADY BEARCATS (21-9) vs. Emporia State University Lady Hornets (21-7)

March 14, 2008 • 6:00 PM • First United Bank Center • Canyon, Texas

The SBU Lady Bearcats (21-9) will open play in the 2008 NCAA D-II South Central Regional Tournament against the Lady Hornets of Emporia State (21-7).

The game will be played at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas on Friday, March 14 at 6:00 PM.

Last weekend, the Lady Bearcats advanced to the finals of the MIAA Tournament in Kansas City with wins against Central Missouri (89-80) and Truman (70-65), before falling in the championship game to Northwest Missouri (58-82). SBU's Erika Souza was named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Lady 'Cats have played Emporia twice this season, with each team winning the home game of the conference schedule.

In Bolivar, back on January 5, SBU won 76-73 against (then ranked) #13 Emporia. The Lady Bearcats survived an ESU rally late in the game. The Lady Bearcats were up by 12 points (67-55) with 5:45 remaining, and watched the Lady Hornets storm back to cut the lead to a single point with 1:30 to go. Kelly Reinkemeyer hit a key jumper with 38 seconds remaining to put SBU up by 3, and Rachel graves hit two clutch free throws to preserve the win.

In Emporia, on March 1, the Lady 'Cats lost to (then ranked) #22 ESU 81-120 in their final regular-season game. Rachel Graves scored a team-high 20 points (2 away from her career record). Erika Souza added 18. Courtney Heady added 18 (1 away from her career record) as well.

The Lady 'Cats are led in scoring by Erika Souza's 19.1 points per game. Souza, who was named as a Second-Team All-Region selection this week, led the MIAA in assists with 4.77 per game.

SBU trails Emporia in the all-time series, 10-23. SBU's win earlier this season broke an 11-game skid with the Lady Hornets.

This is the Lady Bearcats' 6th appearance in the regional, and first since 2001.