Four PBC Women’s Teams Advance to NCAA Tournament

INDIANAPOLIS, IND – Four Peach Belt Conference women’s basketball teams found out that they will have the opportunity to play for a national championship as the NCAA released the 64-team field on Sunday night. Lander, Clayton State, USC Aiken and Francis Marion will play in the eight-team Southeast Regional tournament beginning on Friday, March 13, in Hickory, N.C.

Clayton State will be the highest-seeded PBC team in the field at #3 and face #6 Carson-Newman on Friday. The Lakers enter the NCAA Tournament 23-6 overall and reached the semifinals of the PBC Tournament on Saturday. Clayton State has the longest current streak of NCAA appearances among PBC schools, stretching their streak to five years in a row. The Lakers advanced to the Elite Eight in 2007 where they won a game and reached the regional final in 2007.

Francis Marion will be the fourth seed and face fifth-seeded USC Aiken in the first round. The Patriots are 25-4 on the year and make their second straight NCAA appearance after hosting the regionals last year. The appearance is the fifth for FMU in their time with the Peach Belt Conference.

USC Aiken returns to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2005 and for the third time overall. The Lady Pacers eclipsed the 20-game plateau for the third straight year and reached the championship game of the PBC Tournament where they fell to Lander earlier on Sunday. USCA is one of three conference teams to get a win against Francis Marion this year, the two teams split their previous meetings.

Lander earned the Peach Belt’s automatic bid with their improbable run to the PBC Tournament Championship on Sunday. The Bearcats entered the PBC tournament as the #5 seed and claim their second straight tournament crown, becoming the first team to do that since Columbus State in 2000 and 2001. Now 20-10 on the year, the Bearcats make their fifth NCAA appearance in the last 10 years.

The NCAA Southeast Regional will be played at Shuford Gymnasium on the campus of Lenoir-Rhyne. Game times will be announced on Monday. The winner of the regional will advance to the NCAA Elite Eight March 24 in San Antonio, Texas.