By TOMMY REZAC
St. Joseph Post
The NCAA Division II women’s basketball national championship game is all set for Friday night in St. Joseph.
Civic Arena will play host to the game as Minnesota State (31-5) faces Texas Woman’s University (34-4). Tip-off is set for 7 p.m.
This will be a rematch of a contest from earlier this season. Texas Woman’s beat Minnesota State in a non-conference game back on November 4, 76-71, in Billings, Montana.
Minnesota State head coach Emilee Thiesee says it’s a full circle moment to be playing the Pioneers again – this time for a championship.
“Full circle to be back playing Texas Woman’s after seeing them so early in the season,” Thiesee said. “A great battle that game was. We know full well it’ll be another great battle. We’re just so excited for this opportunity and these experiences.”
Minnesota State reached the title game after a 70-68 win over Cal State-San Marcos in the Final Four Wednesday night. They won on a go-ahead layup with 0.2 seconds left.
Minnesota State seeks its second national title in women’s hoops and its first since 2009.
All eight teams who qualified for the Elite Eight this year did community events with schools in the St. Joseph area last weekend.
Texas Woman’s paid a visit to Mid-Buchanan High School this past Sunday, where elementary and junior high students handed out welcome packages for the team and took part in games and drills with the team.
Many Mid-Buchanan students and parents have also shown up in large numbers this week to support the Pioneers.
Texas Woman’s head coach Beth Jillson says her team didn’t hesitate to show their appreciation to the Mid-Buch students.
“They just were playing basketball games with (the students),” Jillson shared. “I think our players, they know their names. It’s really important that we are great examples for the future generation and that we’re empowering young girls.”
“Our players love seeing them at games. Some of them have gotten there an hour before with signs.”
Texas Woman’s has set a school record with 34 wins this season and the Pioneers have reached the national title game for the first time in history.
For fans who cannot make the game, it’s being televised on CBS Sports Network.
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