July 7, 2008
EASTON, Pa. - For the first time in program history, the Lafayette women's basketball team has been invited to compete in the Preseason Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). The Leopards will face Middle Tennessee State in the opening round of the tournament on Nov. 15 in Murfereesboro, Tenn.
Lafayette is one of 16 teams to receive an invitation to compete in the tournament with all teams guaranteed to play at least three games. The eight first round winners will advance to the second round on Nov. 16-19 while the eight losing teams will play consolation games on Nov. 21-23.
All games will be played on the home court of one of the participating teams to be determined after each round. The semifinals will be played on Nov. 19-21 with the championship game scheduled for Nov. 23.
This season's WNIT field includes 12 teams that made postseason appearances last season in Arizona State, Cleveland State, Illinois State, Indiana, Liberty, Middle Tennessee, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Robert Morris, VCU, Western Carolina and Xavier.
The Leopards finished the 2007-08 season with a 14-16 record, doubling their win total from the previous season. Last season's 14 wins included six Patriot League victories, the most in 10 years. The team returns 11 letterwinners for the 2008-09 campaign under the guidance of eighth-year head coach Tammy Smith.
Middle Tennessee went 22-12 in 2007-08, including a 14-4 mark in the Sun Belt Conference. The Raiders advanced to the second round of the WNIT Postseason Tournament, falling in overtime to Kentucky.
The Preseason WNIT invites up to one team per conference. Invitations are made based on expected team strength for the 2008-09 season, as well as past team history. Other factors include conference results, fan base and geographical locations.
