Purdue is set to take on Austin Peay in the opening matchup of the 2010 Preseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament. The Boilermakers host the Lady Govs at 5 p.m. ET on Friday, November 12 in Mackey Arena.

"We’re excited to be invited to the Preseason WNIT," said Lady Govs head coach Carrie Daniels. "Being from Indiana I’m looking forward to facing a team from my home state. Purdue is a tremendous program that has a lot of rich tradition. We know it will be a tough game and we’ll have to be ready to play."

Purdue is 1-0 all time against Austin Peay, with the only matchup an 80-49 Boilermaker win at home in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on March 16, 2002. Austin Peay has four starters from last season’s squad, which won a second consecutive Ohio Valley Conference women’s basketball tournament title. The Lady Govs went 15-18 overall but rallied to a third-place finish in the OVC regular-season race with an 11-7 record before posting three straight victories in the OVC tournament.

It is the third Preseason WNIT appearance for Purdue and the second for the Lady Govs. The Boilermakers won the tournament in coach Sharon Versyp’s first year as head coach, defeating No. 16 Baylor, 69-55, on Nov. 19, 2006, in Waco, Texas. In 2000, fourth-ranked Purdue finished as runners up to No. 11 Louisiana Tech, 68-63. 

The 16-team, invitation-only Preseason WNIT field features 14 teams coming off postseason play, with half of those teams winning their conference tournaments. The preseason WNIT is an exempt event that is played as a three-game guarantee format. The tournament opens with first-round games Nov. 12 and 13. Second-round games will be played Nov. 14 and 15; semifinals will be Nov. 17 and 18; and the championship is set for Sunday, Nov. 21. Teams that lose in the first two rounds will play consolation games on the second weekend, Nov. 19 and 20. All games are hosted by participating schools and the next round sites will be announced by the end of the preceding round.

In last year’s Preseason WNIT, Big Ten Conference member Ohio State defeated Oklahoma State 93-72.

First-round Preseason WNIT games
2009-2010 team records in parentheses

Friday, Nov. 12, 2010

• Austin Peay (15-18) at Purdue (15-17), 5 p.m. ET
• St. Francis PA (17-15) at Toledo (25-9), 7 p.m. ET
• Hampton (20-12) at JMU (26-7), 7 p.m. ET
• Lamar (26-8) at Missouri State (22-11), 7:05 p.m. ET
• Valparaiso (9-21) at DePaul (21-12), 8 p.m. ET
• Utah Valley (10-22) at South Dakota State (22-11), 8 p.m. ET

Saturday, Nov. 13, 2010

• Central Florida (11-16) at Florida (15-17), time TBA
• Iona (18-14) at Charlotte (18-14), 5 p.m. ET

I can’t believe we really won a championship! I don’t think anyone believed we could do it and everyone came out to support us. My best friend came from Poland, so I was super-excited today. It was great to be able to win it for everybody. –Alexis Gray-Lawson

The Cal Golden Bears ended their WNIT run taking the championship Saturday in Berkeley over Miami, 73-61. While Cal began the game on a hot 9-0 run, Miami came back and took a five point lead, 16-11, with 8:55 remaining in the half. Talia Caldwell led Cal’s resurgence and the Bears took back the lead. Miami never led again during the game.

Cal head coach Joanne Boyle expressed pride in her team’s victory after a tough season of off-court heartbreaks and not getting an NCAA tournament berth.

“I am incredibly excited for this group,” said Boyle. “They took the bull by the horns in postseason and said ‘we’re going to make the most of it.’ We decided to refocus and show people we can handle postseason play. I thought they did an unbelievable job today just finalizing it all.”

Cal senior guard Alexis Gray-Lawson echoed her coach’s comments.

“It couldn’t have gotten better,” said Gray-Lawson about the victory. “I think our season was definitely about being up and down and dealing with adversity. I have dealt with adversity over my five years here. I think this was the hardest year for me playing with new people around me. They embraced me and I embraced them and we’ve become such a great team by doing so.”

Cal’s DeNesha Stallworth finish 21 points and Gray-Lawson added 17. Shenise Johnson led Miami with 21 points and Riquna Williams added 20.

Senior Gray-Lawson was selected the tournament MVP. She ended her college career as Cal’s all-time leader in made three-pointers (211) and games played (143). She is third on the all-time scoring list with 1,982 points.

The All-Tournament team team included: Stallworth, Michigan’s Veronica Hicks, Illinois State’s Nicolle Lewis, and Miami’s Williams and Johnson.

Around the Web:

• Cal: Ends and beginnings
• Cal Wins WNIT With Ease and Poise

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Cal head coach Joanne Boyle is “just excited to be in the championship game” after her squad beat Illinois State in Normal Wednesday night. The Bears downed the Redbirds in front of a crowd of 6,075—a record attendance for Illinois State (28-8). The Bears returned to the Bay area to begin preparing for the championship game against Miami.

“It was a great game, I thought,” said Boyle of her team’s effort in Illinois. “We did a great job. I was just proud of our team to be able to come into this environment and gut it out with the travel and stuff. We stuck with our game plan. We knew defense and rebounding was going to win the game. And that is our M.O.”

Both teams began the game on a sluggish note. The Redbirds led early. Cal tied the game four times, but did not take their first lead of the game until a three-pointer by senior guard Natasha Vital put them up 16-13 with 7:28 left in the period. The Bears followed with a layup by freshman forward DeNesha Stallworth. Senior guard Alexis Gray-Lawson stole the ball right back, laying it in to give Cal a 20-13 lead with 6:50 remaining in the half. They closed out the half on a 17-3 run, keeping ISU from hitting a field goal for over ten minutes during the later portion of the half. Cal took a 30-16 lead into the break.

Cal held a double-digit lead through the remainder of the game. They held a 57-45 lead with a minute remaining and made foul shots down the stretch to hold on for the victory.

The Bears had four players in double figures: Alexis Gray-Lawson with 23, DeNesha Stallworth with 11, Talia Caldwell with 10, and Natasha Vital with 13.

Redbird senior Maggie Krick ended her career at ISU with 12 points to lead her team and Amanda Clifton added 10.

The Miami Hurricanes defeated the Michigan Wolverines 76-59 in Ann Arbor, Mich. on Wednesday. The Bears host the Hurricanes on Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. PT in Berkeley in the final. The first 200 students will receive free admission (must show student ID card). After the free tickets have been distributed, students can show their ID and receive the $3 group ticket rate. The game will be televised nationally on CBS College Sports.

Around the web:

• Photo Gallery of Cal-Illinois State game
• Redbirds Fall To Golden Bears, 61-45, in WNIT Semis
• Hurricanes to Meet Cal in WNIT Championship Game

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Video: Redbird All-Access
Audio: WJBC | Calbears.com
Live Stats: GameTracker
Games Notes: Illinois State | California

The California Golden Bears (22-13, 11-7 Pac-10) head out on the road, playing in the semifinals against the Illinois State Redbirds (28-7, 16-2 Missouri Valley) in Normal, Ill. on Thursday, April 1 at  8:05 p.m. ET.

The Redbirds are back in the WNIT Semifinals for the second-consecutive season. They are the sixth team since 1998 to reach the WNIT Semifinals in consecutive seasons. ISU’s four postseason wins this year are the most in school history.

Illinois State and California have split two all-time meetings. The Golden Bears won the first game at home, 78-71, December 15, 1987. ISU then beat Cal in Redbird Arena, 81-61, November 25, 1990. Illinois State is 9-12 all-time against Pac-10 teams, having played every team in the conference except Washington and Washington State. The Redbirds beat UCLA, 61-55, in the first game of the season.

If Cal wins, the WNIT Championship game will take place in Haas Pavilion on Saturday, April 3 at 11 a.m. against the Miami Hurricanes.

If the Redbirds win, Miami will play at Illinois State on Saturday for the Championship.

In Wednesday action, Riquna Williams scored 26 points, and Shenise Johnson added 17 points and nine rebounds to lead Miami (22-13) to a 76-59 win over Michigan.

Semifinals
Wednesday, March 31
Miami 76, Michigan 59
Thursday, April 1
Cal at Illinois State, 8:05 p.m. ET
Championship
Saturday, April 3
Miami vs. Cal-Illinois State winner

Sunday, March 28
Miami 73, Providence 65
Michigan 78, Syracuse  52
Illinois State 53, Illinois 51

Semifinals
Wednesday, March 31
Miami at Michigan, 7 p.m. ET

Thursday, April 1
Cal at Illinois State, 8:05 p.m. ET

Quarterfinal
Saturday, March 27
Cal 76, BYU 50, Recap | Box Score

Upcoming
Sunday, March 28
Miami at Providence, 2 p.m. ET, Previews: Miami || Providence
Syracuse at Michigan, 2 p.m. ET, Previews: Syracuse || Michigan
Illinois at Illinois State, 3:05 p.m. ET, Previews: Illinois || Illinois State

From Calbears.com:
The California Golden Bears advanced to the semifinals of the 2010 Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) with a decisive 76-50 victory over the BYU Cougars. Freshman DeNesha Stallworth scored 26 points to lead the Bears. Senior Alexis Gray-Lawson scored 19 points with three assists and five rebounds.

The Bears got out to a solid start, taking an early 10-point lead on the sluggish-looking BYU Cougars. Cal held a 12-2 lead with 15:47 left in the first half. The Cougars found their long range shot, hitting five threes, to come back to tie the game 28-28 with 1:12 left in the first half. The Bears used a long range shot of their own, one coming from senior guard Natasha Vital, to retake the lead, 31-28. Senior guard Alexis Gray-Lawson drove the lane, laying the ball in with nine seconds left in the first half to send Cal to the locker room with a 33-28 advantage. Gray-Lawson and Stallworth combined for 20 of Cal’s first 26 points. Stallworth finished the first half with 12. Gray Lawson scored 10.

The Cougars used the long ball to stay in the game early in the second half. After Cal led by as many as eight, BYU hit a three pointer with just under 15 minutes left to play to make it a three-point game, 38-35. It was as close as they would get. Senior guard Natasha Vital answered with a trey. Jumpers by Stallworth and Gray-Lawson put Cal up double digits, 47-37, two and a half minutes later. The Bears defense began dominating the road-weary Cougars as Cal outscored BYU 29-13 in the final 12 minutes to earn the trip to the semifinals.

“I feel like we have been playing some of our best basketball,” said head coach Joanne Boyle. “It has been tough with the travel, just like other teams have faced, but I think we are at a really good point right now – really focused on what we are doing. It was a good win. To see the progression we are making has been great for us in postseason.”

DeNesha Stallworth scored a game-high 26 points, going 10-for16 from the field. She also had her third double double of the season with 11 rebounds. She also had three steals. Freshman center Talia Caldwell had six points, two assists, and 11 rebounds. Alexis Gray-Lawson scored 19 points with three assists and five rebounds.

“I won (what is likely) my last game at Haas,” said a smiling Gray-Lawson after the game. “That is what I am thinking now. I won my last game at Haas. All of my friends and family were here. Everybody came out to support us tonight. And I am on my way to my first Final Four. Can’t beat that!”

Cal is the first team to earn a spot in the semifinals, or round of four. They will head to Illinois to take on the winner of Sunday’s Illinois/Illinois State game. The date for the semifinal game will be announced after tomorrow night’s action, but it will be either Thursday, April 1 or Wednesday, March 31. Game date and time will be posted on CalBears.com once it is available. Live audio for the game will be streamed on CalBears.com.

Third Round results
Thursday, March 25

Providence 77, Maryland 64
Miami 84, North Carolina A&T 77
Michigan 65, Northwestern 44
Illinois State 71, Kansas 51
Illinois 65, Missouri State 53
BYU 67, Wyoming 63
Cal 71, Oregon 57
Friday, March 26
VCU at Syracuse, 7 p.m. ET

The Providence Friars (19-14) defeated host Maryland 77-64 to move into the quarterfinals The team was led by Brittany Dorsey, with 20 points. Lynetta Kizer (10 points, 13 rebounds) led the charge for Maryland (21-13), which closed its 16th 20-plus win season with the game.

Providence will host Miami, which defeated North Carolina A&T 84-77. That game will be at 2 p.m. EST Sunday, March 28.

Miami (20-13) used a huge first half and big defensive plays late, in its third round WNIT victory over the North Carolina A&T Aggies (23-11), Thursday night at the BankUnited Center by an 84-77 score.

Michigan (20-13) beat Northwestern (18-15) 65-44 and improved to 6-3 in WNIT games. Michigan will host the winner of Friday night’s game between VCU and Syracuse starting at 2 p.m. EST Sunday, March 28.

Illinois State earned another home game with a 71-51 victory over Kansas (17-16), last year’s WNIT national runner-up. Illinois State (27-7) had five players score in double figures, and shot 53.7 percent as a team for the game. The Redbirds will host Illinois in the quarterfinals starting at 3:05 p.m. ET Sunday.

BYU (23-9) beat Wyoming 67-63 in front of 7,142 fans in Laramie with the help of Coriann Wood’s 18 points. In Wyoming’s final game of the season, Aubrey Vandiver (20 points, 11 rebounds) and Hillary Carlson (18 points, five rebounds) led the Cowgirls (21-12).

BYU will play at Cal at 9 p.m. EST Saturday, March 27. Cal (21-13) earned its quarterfinal spot with a 71-57 victory over Oregon (18-16).

VCU (22-12) makes its third straight appearance in the postseason and reaches the third round for the first time in program history. Syracuse (24-10) also celebrates its first time ever winning two consecutive postseason games.

Quarterfinal Games
Saturday, March 27

BYU at Cal, 9 p.m. ET,  Preview: Cal || BYU

Sunday, March 28

Miami at Providence, 2 p.m. ET
VCU-Syracuse winner at Michigan, 2 p.m. ET
Illinois at Illinois State, 3:05 p.m. ET

Second Round
Monday, March 22
Illinois 74, Marquette 72 OT
Providence 76, Old Dominion 61
Syracuse 69, Richmond 55
Northwestern 66, St. Bonaventure 62

Tuesday, March 23
Texas Tech at Wyoming, 9 p.m. ET
BYU at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m. ET
Utah  at California, 10 p.m. ET
New Mexico at Oregon, 10 p.m. ET

Third Round
Thursday, March 25
Providence at Maryland, 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina A&T at Miami, 7 p.m. ET
Northwestern at Michigan, 7 p.m. ET
Kansas at Illinois State, 8:05 p.m. ET
Illinois at Missouri State, 8:05 p.m. ET

Friday, March 26
VCU at Syracuse, 7 p.m. ET

First round
Utah 66, St. Mary’s (CA) 53

Second round
Maryland 87, East Carolina 52
Illinois State 59, Purdue 57
Michigan 72, Toledo 57
Kansas 71, Creighton 68
Miami 77, Florida 64
NC A&T 79, Charlotte 70
Missouri State 75, Samford 54
VCU 84, Hofstra 65

UPCOMING

Monday, March 22
Second round
Marquette at Illinois, 5 p.m. ET
Old Dominion at Providence, 7 p.m. ET
Richmond at Syracuse, 7 p.m. ET
Northwestern at St. Bonaventure, 7 p.m. ET
Tuesday, March 23
Texas Tech at Wyoming, 9 p.m. ET
BYU at Arizona State, 9:30 p.m. ET
Utah  at California, 10 p.m. ET
New Mexico at Oregon, 10 p.m. ET

Third Round
Thursday, March 25
Providence-Old Dominion winner at Maryland, 7 p.m. ET
North Carolina A&T at Miami, 7 p.m. ET
Kansas at Illinois State, 8:05 p.m. ET
Marquette-Illinois winner at Missouri State, 8:05 p.m. ET

TBA
Michigan vs. St. Bonaventure-Northwestern winner at location, date TBA
VCU at Richmond-Syracuse winner, TBA

Friday, March 19

Results from the third day of WNIT action:
Toledo 70, Pittsburgh 58
Michigan 69, Kent State 34
East Carolina 78, Drexel 76 OT
Maryland 88, Iona 53
Illinois 68, Western Kentucky 51
Creighton 76, Stephen F. Austin 65
Missouri State 75, Oral Roberts 53
Wyoming 74, Nevada 53

From the WNIT:
The University of Maryland started off what it hopes will be a lengthy postseason run with an 88-53 victory over Iona in first-round action of the Postseason Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

Maryland (20-12), appearing in the postseason for the 24th time in program history, led 44-28 at halftime. The Terrapins will host East Carolina at 2 p.m. Sunday.

East Carolina (23-10) rode a wild finish to earn its Round 2 berth at Maryland. The Lady Pirates climbed back from a big hole in the second half to force overtime with host Drexel (17-14), and then East Carolina prevailed 78-76 to advance.

Toledo (25-8) started strong and kept it going against visiting Pittsburgh, earning a 70-58 victory. Toledo will head to Michigan to play the Wolverines at 2 p.m. EST Sunday. Michigan (18-13) controlled Kent State’s offense on the way to a 69-34 win Friday night.

Illinois took care of business at Western Kentucky with a 68-51 victory. The Illini’s Jenna Smith scored 21 points to become the all-time leading scorer in Illinois history with 2,108 points. Illinois will host Marquette at 5 p.m. ET Monday in a women’s/men’s doubleheader in Champaign.

Missouri State also advanced to Round 2. They defeated Oral Roberts 75-53 and will host Samford at 3:05 p.m. ET Sunday.

Creighton also ensured that its season would continue, as the Bluejays steadied to beat Stephen F. Austin 76-65. Creighton heads to Kansas to play the Jayhawks at 2 p.m. ET Sunday.

In Friday’s late game, Wyoming earned a 74-53 win over Nevada and now will host Texas Tech in Round 2 beginning at 9 p.m. ET Tuesday.