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 Senior Jessica Simmonds leads the Colonials in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament |
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GW Women's Basketball Opens NCAA Tournament at Old Dominion on Sunday
March 18, 2006
NORFOLK, VA -The George Washington Colonials (22-8) play the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs in the First Round of the NCAA Tournament on Sunday at about 2:30 p.m. in Norfolk, VA. While the Colonials are seeded No. 7, they will be playing No. 10-seed Old Dominion at the Ted Constant Convocation Center, the Lady Monarchs' home court. The game will be televised on ESPN 30 minutes after the conclusion of No. 2 seed Tennessee (28-4) and No. 15 seed Army (19-10). The winner of both games will play on Tuesday night for a spot in "Sweet Sixteen" in the Cleveland Region.
The Colonials were chosen to the 64-team field as an At-Large Selection, while Old Dominion won the Colonials Athletic Association Championship. The Colonials were Regular Season Co-Champion of the Atlantic 10 for the fifth straight season. This is GW's fourth consecutive trip to the NCAA Tournament and it advanced to the second round last season with a win over Mississippi. GW's best-ever finish was an "Elite Eight" showing in 1997, the team also advanced to the "Sweet Sixteen" in 1995.
This will mark only the fourth time that George Washington and Old Dominion have met and first time in 10 years. The Lady Monarchs lead the all-time series 2-1 having won both games at home, while GW won 78-76 at Smith Center in 1990. Old Dominion will make its 23rd appearance out of the 25 Women's Basketball Championships while this is GW's 13th trip to the dance. The two team's, however, have never faced each other in postseason play.
This is the Colonials fourth straight trip to the NCAA Tournament and their 13th in the last 16 years all under the guidance of 17-year GW Head Coach Joe McKeown. The team's best-ever finish came in 1997 when fourth-seeded GW advanced to the Elite Eight in Columbia, SC. Two of the senior players on that team, Lisa Cermignano and Tajama (Abraham) Ngongba, are now assistant coaches for the Colonials. During their sophomore year in 1995, GW enjoyed a No. 4 seed, the team's highest ever. GW, coached by McKeown, advanced to the Sweet 16 losing to No. 1 seed Colorado in Des Moines, IA.
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The Colonials finished the regular season as Co-Champions of the Atlantic 10 with a 13-3 conference record. Charlotte who matched the Colonials mark did not make the NCAA Tournament after losing their first A-10 Tournament game. The Colonials, however, advanced to the A-10 Championship game with victories over Richmond and tournament host Saint Joseph's. The Colonials faced No. 18 Temple in the Championship but could not defeat the Owls for a third straight time this season, falling 59-54. The other A-10 team, the Owls, joined the NCAA field as a No. 6 seed and face Hartford in Trenton, NJ.
Sunday's game will be played at Old Dominion's Ted Constant Convocation Center in Norfolk, VA and broadcast live on ESPN. Tickets for the NCAA Tournament are currently available. Tournament books, which include all three sessions, are $45 for adults for all games ($30 for youth 17 and under). Single session tickets $20 for adults ($15 for youths 17 and under). All can be purchased at the Constant Center box office or by calling 1-888-411-4TED or logging online at www.constantcenter.com.
