Both Head to Christopher Newport For First/Second Round Play

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. --- Guilford College will be joined by Eastern Mennonite University in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament, marking the second time in four years that the ODAC has received multiple entries in the women's ranks.  The Quakers' entry into the tournament was guaranteed after earning the conference's automatic bid by winning the league crown, but the Royals had to wait to learn if their season would continue as one of 20 at-large selections.

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The women's basketball tournament features a more traditional format than this year's men's tournament.  First and second round play begins this coming weekend with all 64 teams in action March 1-2.  Two rounds of sectional play (rounds of 16 and 8) will commence on March 8-9.  Hope College in Holland, Mich., serves as host for the semifinals and national championship game on March 15-16.

Guilford (24-4) and Eastern Mennonite (21-6) are a part of a four-team first and second round pod at Christopher Newport University (26-2).  The Captains also welcome Marymount University (Va.) (23-4) to Newport News.

The Quakers earned their spot in the tournament by winning the ODAC tournament championship for the second straight year, which affords them the conference's automatic entry. GC, which was unranked in the region entering the ODAC postseason, meets host CNU in the first round.  The Captains owned the #2 spot in the south region.  This is the fourth overall trip to the tournament for Guilford (2001, 02, 12).

The Royals are making just their second appearance on the national stage, joining EMU's showing in the 2004 tournament.  EMU won the ODAC title and automatic NCAA entrty that season, but needed an at-large bid to enter this year's foray.  Eastern Mennonite, which was ranked fifth in the region, squares off with unranked Marymount in the first round.

For more information on the NCAA Division III women's Basketball Tournament, go to www.ncaa.com.  For more on ODAC women's hoops, visit the websites of any of the participating schools, or go to the ODAC's home on the Internet at www.odaconline.com.  Don't forget to become a fan of the ODAC on Facebook and follow the ODAC on Twitter at @odacathletics.