Cowgirls Selected to WBIT, Will Host Texas Tech
INDIANAPOLIS, Ind., – The Wyoming Cowgirls will once again be playing in the postseason as they were selected for the Women’s Basketball Invitation Tournament (WBIT).
This is the second annual iteration of the tournament and the first time the Cowgirls have been selected for the event.
Heather Ezell wasn't interested in talking about the season ahead last Wednesday night in Las Vegas, just moments after her Cowgirls were ousted by San Diego State in triple overtime of the Mountain West title game.
Wyoming's head coach knew this wasn't the last time this current roster would play together.
"It will look a lot different next year, but what I'm excited about is we still have some opportunity to play with this group," Ezell said, referring to a roster that features five seniors, including the league's player of the year Allyson Fertig. "That's what I'm looking forward to right now. We're worried about next year when the time comes. I want to finish out with these seniors and this group on a high note."
The Cowgirls (22-11) are the No. 4 seed in their eight-team pod. Wyoming will host Texas Tech (17-17) Thursday, March 20. Tip time for Thursday will be announced no later than 10 a.m., Monday.
Thursday’s game will be broadcast live on ESPN Plus.
This will be the fifth all-time meeting between the Cowgirls and Red Raiders. The series is tied at 2-2. The last time these two met was in Lubbock back in 2003. That was a 77-26 rout, courtesy of the then No. 5 ranked team in the country.
The team that advances will take on the winner of the Virginia Tech-North Carolina A&T contest. Former Wyoming guard Brendan Wenzel's sister, Carleigh Wenzel, plays for the Hokies.
Fellow Mountain West school UNLV is also in the field of 32.
Wyoming has made two appearances in the NCAA Tournament (2008, '21) and a dozen trips to the WNIT (2003, '06, '07, '10, '11, '13, '17, '18, '19, '22, '23, '24). The Cowgirls claimed a national championship back in 2007, knocking off Wisconsin 72-56 in front of a capacity crowd of 15,462 inside the Arena-Auditorium. Wyoming has also played one time in the NWIT back in 1990.
"They have another chance to do this, to put the uniform on, to represent the university, to represent the Cowgirls and to represent each other," Ezell continued. "(We) have a chance to come back and compete again and get the sour taste out of your mouth."
Tickets for the WBIT will go on sale Monday morning. Tickets can be purchased online at www.GoWyo.com/tickets, over the phone at 307-766-7220 or in-person at the Wyoming Ticket Office.
University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players
Gallery Credit: 7220Sports.com
- University of Wyoming’s Top 50 Football Players