March 17, 2008

COLUMBIA –
South Carolina announced today that its Women’s NIT matchup against North Carolina A&T will tip off at 7 p.m. on Fri., Mar. 21, at the Colonial Center. Tickets are $8 for adults and $4 for students. It is the third-straight year the Gamecocks have played in the WNIT and the second-consecutive year they have hosted a first-round game.

North Carolina A&T enters the postseason tournament with a 25-7 overall record, including a 15-1 mark in Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) play. The Aggies were the MEAC regular-season champion, losing their only league game in the season finale against Hampton. NC A&T pushed through a 74-71 overtime decision to reach the title game of the MEAC Tournament, but saw Coppin State hit a game-winning shot with 3.8 second left to claim a 72-70 victory and deny the Aggies a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Still, NC A&T, led by head coach Patricia Cage-Bibbs, is making its first postseason tournament appearance in 14 years.

The Gamecocks (15-15, 4-10 SEC) won four of their last eight SEC games, including road wins at Kentucky and Florida, which also earned spots in the WNIT. South Carolina bowed out of the SEC Tournament with a 57-71 first-round defeat at the hands of Florida.