March 8 , 2005

GENEVA, N.Y.—William Smith, Bowdoin, and Messiah will converge on the University of Scranton this weekend for the sectional round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament. The survivor will earn a trip to Virginia Beach and a shot at the national championship.

The Herons and Polar Bears will kickoff the weekend’s action at 6 p.m., on March 11, with the Falcons and the Lady Royals to follow at 8 p.m. The winners will meet for the sectional championship at 7 p.m., on March 12. The doors of the Long Center will open one hour prior to the start of the first game on both days.

Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for senior citizens, students, and children. A limited number of advance sale tickets will be available for purchase through the William Smith Athletics Department. Beginning at 1 p.m., on March 8, fans can purchase tickets in Winn-Seeley Gym, Room 101. Ticket sales will continue on March 9 and March 10 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. For additional information, contact the William Smith Athletics Department at (315) 781-3500.

The Herons advanced to their fourth sectional semifinal and first since 1999 by knocking off Oswego State (24-4) 68-58. William Smith held the Lakers without a point over the final 6:58 of the second half. First-year guard Marisa Vespa (Immaculate Heart/ Watertown, N.Y.) led all scorers with 15 points, including a 9-of-13 performance from the free-throw line.

William Smith’s opponent in the round of 16, Bowdoin (25-2), stamped its ticket to Scranton with a 69-46 win over Alvernia (24-6). The Polar Bears were led by the 25-point effort of sophomore forward Eileen Flaherty.

Fans traveling to Scranton this weekend can find directions, hotel and restaurant information on the University of Scranton Web site at academic.uofs.edu/department/athletics/womens_basketball.html.

For those unable to make the trip, WEOS-FM (89.7/90.3 in Geneva, 88.1 in Ithaca) will carry of the action. Outside the listening area, fans can listen to the broadcast online by clicking on the live audio link on the William Smith basketball schedule or by visiting WEOS directly at www.weos.org.

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