NCAA Tournament First Round Preview | Western New England vs SUNY Cortland
NCAA Division III Tournament Bracket
SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (March 5, 2020) – The Western New England University women's basketball team is set to make their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament on Friday evening as they host SUNY Cortland in first round action at the Alumni Healthful Living Center at 7 p.m.
How They Got Here
Western New England (21-5) captured the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) regular season championship after going 14-2 in conference play. The Golden Bears fell to the University of New England in the semifinals of the conference tournament, 62-53.
SUNY Cortland (21-6) fell to SUNY New Paltz in the SUNYAC championship game, 63-53. The Red Dragons defeated SUNY Geneseo 42-33 in the semifinals of the SUNYAC tournament.
NCAA Tournament Experience
Western New England is making their second straight appearance in the NCAA Tournament. In 2019, the Golden Bears fell to Tufts 70-44 in the first round.
SUNY Cortland are making their first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 2010. In their previous trip, the Red Dragons fell in the first round to Rochester, 66-47.
All-Conference Selections
Western New England is led by its senior trio of All-CCC selections. Emily Farrell (New Fairfield, Conn.) was named to the All-CCC first team after averaging 13.5 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game. Courtney Carlson (Woodbury, Conn.) and Meghan Orbann (East Hampton, Conn.) were both named to the second team.
SUNY Cortland also had a trio of All-Conference selections. Senior Beth Bonin (Cicero, N.Y.) was named SUNYAC Player of the Year and selected to the first team. Freshman Nyia Longford (Medford, N.Y.) was named SUNYAC Rookie of the Year and selected to the third team, while junior Shannon McGuire (West Babylon, N.Y.) was named to the third team.
Coaching Matchup
Now in her 15th season at the helm of the Western New England women's basketball program, Nicole Chaszar was named the 2019 CCC Coach of the Year, and has a career record of 247-160 (.607).
SUNY Cortland head coach Jacey Brooks is currently in her second season leading the Red Dragons.
Last Meeting
This is the first matchup between Western New England and SUNY Cortland.
Up Next
The winner of the Western New England/SUNY Cortland contest advances to Saturday's second round to take on the winner of the Tufts/SUNY Poly matchup, which is being held at the Alumni Healthful Living Center on Friday at 5 p.m.
