Women's Basketball Makes Fourth Straight Postseason WNIT Appearance
March 14, 2004
CORVALLIS, Ore. - For the fourth consecutive season, Oregon State University's women's basketball team has earned a postseason berth to the Women's National Invitation Tournament as was announced by the Women's Collegiate Sports Association on Sunday evening.
The Beavers will host their fourth consecutive first round postseason NIT game when they face Gonzaga University on Friday at 7 p.m. in Gill Coliseum.
Oregon State has made five appearances in the WNIT (1980, 1982, 2001, 2002, 2003), winning the National Championship in the 1980 and 1982 trips. OSU has reached the second round of tournament action during the past two seasons.
"This is an outstanding opportunity for our players to celebrate another successful and winning season," said OSU head coach Judy Spoelstra. "I think the WNIT has rewarded us for having a successful home record and so many loyal fans that come out and show their support."
Oregon State finished the regular season with a 15-14 overall record and an 8-10 mark in the Pacific-10 Conference. The Beavers held an 8-5 record in games played in Gill Coliseum.
The Bulldogs, members of the West Coast Conference, finished the regular season with an 18-11 overall record, losing a 61-58 contest to Loyola Marymount University in the championship game of the WCC Tournament. Prior to its loss against LMU, Gonzaga had won four straight.
"Gonzaga has had an outstanding year," said Spoelstra. "They have solid players in every position and are a very gutsy team that plays extremely hard."
Drake plays at Nebraska in the Beavers' half of the bracket in the 32-team tournament's opening round.
