WEDNESDAY

Day 2 of the NJCAA WBB DI Championship Tournament at its new home in Casper, WY unfolds today. What will it bring?

That remains to be seen, but we do know the opening day at Wyoming Ford Center had its share of surprises. No. 18 Dodge City took down No. 15 Eastern Florida State, 75-57, No. 23 North Dakota SCS stunned No. 10 Eastern Florida State, 54-46, and No. 20 Eastern Arizona upended No. 13 Pearl River, 56-45.

The ninth-seeded Lady Cardinals (26-6) almost fell into the upset category – almost. But the Lady Cardinals found a way to grind out a 69-65 win and keep their hopes for a ninth NJCAA championship alive.

Next up is No. 8 New Mexico (26-6) today at 5:45 p.m. New Mexico had a bye in the first round.

New Mexico is averaging 76.8 points per game and allowing 58.7.

The Thunderbirds are led by Cacio Anthony. She is averaging 15.0 points per game. Pania Davis is averaging 13.5. Aliyah Holmes averages 9.6 per game and is the top threat from three-point range with 72 treys on the season.

The Lady Cardinals are making their 17^th straight appearance at the tournament and 29^th overall. They are 82-24 in national tournament games.

The Lady Cardinals and New Mexico have never played in the NJCAA tournament.

Here are the results from the opening round:

(16) Coshise 72, (17) Chattanooga State 43

(9) TVCC 69, (24) Monroe 65

(18) Dodge City 75, (15) East Georgia State 57

(23) North Dakota SCS 54, (10) Eastern Florida State 46

(20) Eastern Arizona 56, (13) Pearl River 45

(12) Southern Idaho 79, (21) Connors State 58

Here is today's schedule:

11 a.m. – (19) Blinn vs. (14) Casper

1:15 p.m. – (22) Mississippi Gulf Coast vs. (11) Three Rivers

3:30 p.m. – (16) Cochise vs. (1) Hutchinson

5:45 p.m. – (9) TVCC vs. (8) New Mexico

8 p.m. – (18) Dodge City vs. (2) Wabash Valley

10:15 p.m. – (23) North Dakota SCS vs. (7) Odessa

All tournament games are available on ESPN+. The championship game Monday will be broadcast by ESPNU at 7 p.m.

It's 21 and mostly clear in Casper this morning. With breezy winds, the  high is expected to reach into the low 50s this afternoon.

You know the drill, Cardinals fans: wear read, cheer on the Lady Cardinals and send all your positive vibes their way.

--BENNY ROGERS

 

 

New location. Same goal.

 

The NJCAA WBB DI Championship Tournament tips off today n Casper, WY, which is the sixth location to host the event in its history. The goal is the same for the 24 teams participating, which includes the Lady Cardinals for a 17th straight year and 29th time overall: be the last one standing when the champion is crowned Monday, April 1.

 

The Lady Cardinals know a little bit about being the champion. They have more titles than anyone else with eight and have also  played in more title games, having reached it 16 times. 

 

Fifth-year had coach Precious Ivy's Lady Cardinals, the tournament's No. 9 seed with a 25-6 record, are scheduled to open the tournament today at the Ford Wyoming Center against 24th-seeded Monroe College (19-14) in a 1:15 p.m. tipoff. It will be the Lady Cardinals' 86th national tournament game. They are 81-24 in the event.

 

Monroe has won three straight coming into the tournament and is averaging 50.7 points per game. The Lady Cardinals are averaging 80.2.

 

The Lady Cardinals have played in nine of the last 12 national title games and have reached the semifinals 11 of the last 12 years.

 

The Lady Cardinals and Monroe have met once in a national tournament game. In 2010, was a 65-56 winner against the Lady Cardinals in Salina, KS.

 

Here is today's schedule for the opening round:

 

11 a.m. -- (17) Chatanooga State vs. (16) Cochise

 

1:15 p.m. -- (9) TVCC vs. (24) Monroe

 

3:30 p.m. -- (18) Dodge City vs. (15) East Georgia State

 

5:45 p.m. -- (23) North Dakota SCS vs. (10) Eastern Florida State

 

8 p.m. -- (20) Eastern Arizona vs. (13) Pearl River

 

10:15 p.m. -- (21) Connors State vs. (12) Southern Idaho

 

All tournament games will be webcast on ESPN+ and the title game will be broadcast on ESPNU.

 

The TVCC-Monroe winner advances to face No. 8 New Mexico (26-6) at 5:45 p.m. Wednesday.