Eagles host WNIT opener
The Florida Gulf Coast University Eagles face George Washington University of the Atlantic 10 Conference Thursday in the first round of the Women’s National Invitational Tournament (WNIT). Tipoff is 7 p.m. at Alico Arena.
The Eagles (25-4) earned the automatic bid to the WNIT by winning the Atlantic Sun Conference regular-season title. It’s the second consecutive year for the Eagles to play in the 48-team WNIT.
The Eagles are 8-1 overall in non-conference play and 14-1 at home this season, and are a perfect 5-0 at home against non-conference opponents.
The Colonials (17-13) are making their 10th straight postseason tournament appearance and 18th overall in the last 19 seasons. They are 1-4 in two previous WNIT appearances. GW played in the NCAA Women’s Tournament each of the past six seasons, reaching the Sweet 16 in 2007 and 2008.
GW was 4-8 on the road and 0-5 on the road against non-conference opponents this season under first-year coach Mike Bozeman. The Colonials join A-10 mates Richmond, St. Bonaventure, Dayton, and Duquesne in the WNIT field.
First-team All-Atlantic 10 center Jessica Adair leads the Colonials in scoring (13.5 points per game), rebounding (7.5), blocks (1.6) and steals (1.1) per game.
All WNIT games, including the semifinals and championship, are hosted by participating schools at their home facility. Every round is single elimination.
Tickets are $11 for adults and $4 for students on a first-come, first-served basis. Fans can purchase tickets at the FGCU ticket office, by calling the ticket office at (239) 590-7145 or 590-7306, or online (www.FGCUAthletics.com).
FGCU students are admitted free of charge at the student gate with a student ID.