Oct. 29, 2009
INDIANAPOLIS, IND. - Penn State has been selected as one of 16 universities to host the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship First and Second Round games, the NCAA announced today. The games will take place March 19-22, 2011.
The other universities hosting the First and Second Round games are New Mexico, Virginia, Auburn, Cincinnati, Maryland, Ohio State, Duke, Tennessee, Utah, Gonzaga, Louisiana Tech, Stanford, Connecticut, Baylor and Wichita State. The 2011 Regional Rounds will be held in Dayton, Spokane, Dallas and Philadelphia.
"I am so excited for Penn State, the Bryce Jordan Center and the Big Ten Conference to bring the NCAA First and Second Rounds back to Happy Valley," Lady Lion head coach Coquese Washington said. "We have some of the best fans in women's basketball and to reward their support and loyalty with the opportunity to watch the first and second rounds is fantastic."
"We are thrilled that the NCAA has chosen Penn State as one of 16 host institutions for the 2011 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship First and Second Round Games," said Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley. "Penn State has shown it is prepared to host events of this high caliber. We are happy that we can bring the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament back to the fans in Pennsylvania, who have shown incredible enthusiasm for the Lady Lions and basketball in general."
Penn State last hosted the First and Second Rounds in 2006 when Connecticut, Virginia Tech, Maryland, Missouri, Coppin State, St. John's, California and Sacred Heart competed in the Bryce Jordan Center. This will be Penn State's 14th time hosting the NCAA First and Second Rounds. The Lady Lions have won its last eight home NCAA Tournament games, posting a 16-4 overall record.
The Lady Lions open their season with an exhibition game against Indiana (Pa.) on Sun., Nov. 8. Penn State fans that attend the Indiana football game can use their football ticket to receive buy one ticket, get one free ticket for the Lady Lions' home opener against NJIT on Sun., Nov. 15. Single game tickets can be purchased by calling the Penn State ticket office at 814-865-5555.
The 2010 WBCA Pink Zone at Penn State will take place on Sunday, Jan. 24 at 1 p.m., as the Lady Lions take on Illinois in the Bryce Jordan Center. The game can be seen on www.bigtennetwork.com. The first three Pink Zone events have raised more than $80,000 for breast cancer awareness. This year's fundraising efforts will benefit the Mount Nittany Medical Center, Penn State Hershey Cancer Institute, Pennsylvania Breast Cancer Coalition and the Kay Yow/WBCA Cancer Fund. For more information on the Pink Zone at Penn State, visit the official Pink Zone website at www.gopsusports.com/pinkzone.
The Lady Lions are on Twitter. Follow head coach Coquese Washington (@psucoachquese), sports information contact Kris Petersen (@ladylionsid) and the Lady Lions and assistant coaches (@pennstatewbb) to get the inside scoop. The Lady Lions are also on Facebook. Search Lady Lion Basketball and become a fan.