March 16, 2003

WACO, Texas - The Baylor Lady Bear basketball team has been selected to host a first round game in the 32-team 2003 Women's NIT Basketball Tournament. The Lady Bears will face Northern Iowa on Thurs., March 20 at the Ferrell Center at 7 p.m.

Baylor, a member of the Big 12 Conference, enters the game with a 20-10 record. Northern Iowa is 18-11 on the year and finished third in the Missouri Valley Conference with a 12-6 league record.

This will be Baylor's third appearance in the postseason Women's NIT. The Lady Bears hosted four games in the 1998 tournament. Baylor defeated Mississippi State (75-65), Oklahoma State (54-47) and Louisiana State (66-61) before losing to Penn State in the championship game 59-56. In 1999 Baylor hosted two games, defeating UT-Arlington (71-60) and losing in overtime to Rice (62-60).

Tickets for Baylor's first round WNIT game will go on sale on Monday, March 17 at 8:00 a.m. at the Baylor Athletic Ticket Office at Floyd Casey Stadium. Ticket prices are $7 for students, $10 for reserved seats and $16 for courtside/center court seats. Baylor women's basketball season ticket holders must purchase their tickets by noon Tues., March 18 in order to retain their seats.

Matchups in the 2003 Women's NIT are:
Wednesday, March 19
Western Illinois (21-8) at Missouri (15-13)
Delaware (21-7) at St. Joseph's (18-10)
South Alabama (19-10) at Auburn (18-11)

Thursday, March 20
Hawaii (16-12) at Arizona State (15-13)
Northern Iowa (18-11) at Baylor (20-10)
St. Louis (17-13) at Iowa (16-14)
Marquette (15-13) at Toledo (20-9)
Creighton (21-8) at Maine (25-5)
Seton Hall (14-14) at Siena (24-7)
Georgetown (15-13) at Richmond (19-10)
Florida International (19-10) at Florida State (16-12)

Friday, March 21
UNLV (17-11) at Oregon State (14-14)
Santa Clara (20-10) at Fresno State (18-11)
Montana (20-8) at Wyoming (17-11)
Montana State (20-7) at Colorado State (18-11)
Ball State (19-8) at Indiana State (21-7)