MORRISVILLE, N.Y. – The SUNY Morrisville women's basketball team for the second time in as many years claimed the United East automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament, and will open the first round against top seeded Smith College Friday night in Northampton, Mass.
THE BASICS:
- Game Date: Friday, March 3, 2023
- Game Time: 8:15 PM
- Game Information: NCAA Division III Championship Tournament – First Round
- Game Location: Smith College, Ainsworth Gymnasium, Northampton, Mass.
- Live Coverage: Stats, Video
First Round Matchup:
SUNY Morrisville and Smith College will be meeting for the first time in the history of the two programs. Morrisville enters the contest with a 20-7 overall record, claiming the automatic qualifier for the United East with their tournament title on Saturday.
Smith, ranked no. 4 in the latest D3hoops.com national poll enters the contest with a 26-1 overall slate, downing Babson College for the NEWMAC title on Sunday.
The contest will follow the opening tip of St. John Fisher University and Marymount at 5:45 p.m., and winners of each contest will meet in the second round on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. in Northampton.
A Look at Smith College:
Smith College is making their fifth straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Tournament, claiming their third straight NEWMAC title. A year ago, the Pioneers advanced to the "Sweet 16" of the D3 Tournament, falling to Wisconsin-Whitewater 78-76.
The Pioneers are riding a 20-game win streak heading into the contest, averaging 72.7 points per game, while allowing 54.7. The Smith College bench is deep, with five averaging more than 9.5 points per game and getting great ball distribution from a sixth.
A Look at SUNY Morrisville:
SUNY Morrisville is making their second straight trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament, claiming their second United East title. A year ago, Morrisville entered the national stage for the first time in program history, facing Gettysburg in the opening round where they suffered a 77-44 defeat. Morrisville led 32-28 at the half, before the Bullets offense found the hot shooting hand in the third.
Morrisville averages 69.0 points per game, allowing 55.5, with a majority of their spark coming from the trifecta of their all-conference selections that have the ability to play any position on the floor.
Morrisville is making their second straight appearance in the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament after claiming a second consecutive United East tournament title Saturday. Last season the Mustangs made a program first appearance since becoming a member of the NCAA in 2009.
Morrisville appeared for a seventh straight time in the conference playoffs under direction of New Hartford native and head coach
Erin Rotchford (Skaradek) this season. Under her guidance, Morrisville has reached the championship final three seasons, claiming the program's first title a year ago.
The 2021-22 season saw the Mustangs make their first trip to the NCAA Division III Tournament in program history, where they gained national attention with their striking ability from long range.
A stream of firsts from last season carried over to the 2022-23 year where another first came for the program for Rotchford. Rotchford became the first coach for the women's basketball program to reach 100 career wins on the Mustang sidelines, and the first female coach at Morrisville to reach that mark as an NCAA Division III institution. The 73-63 win over Keystone on Nov. 12 helped reach that coaching milestone.
Under Rotchford's guidance, the Mustangs have reached 18+ wins in five seasons, collecting a season high 20 in 2016-17. They matched that this season with their conference tournament wins on their home court.
The Mustangs returned a solid core to the squad this season, but added some depth that has made an immediate impact since the semester break. Morrisville put together a 4-5 first semester record, and since have gone 16-2, and are riding an eight-game win streak heading into the NCAA D3 First Round match against Smith.
The Mustangs boast a power five lineup and are led by its three All-Conference First Team selections in senior
Rachel Vieira (Caruthers, Calif.), junior
Brooke Hammersley (Weedsport, N.Y.) and sophomore
Cara Walker (Phelps, N.Y.). All entered the year with All-Conference accolades to their backing from a year ago, but are the first trio to claim first team honors together. Vieira is a three-time All-Conference selection after making an appearance each season.
WHAT'S NEXT:
- The contest will follow the opening tip of St. John Fisher University and Marymount at 5:45 p.m., and winners of each contest will meet in the second round on Saturday at 7:45 p.m. in Northampton.
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