COMPLETE HOST LIST
ASHLAND – For the first time, the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship's first and second rounds are coming to Lithia Motors Pavilion.
The Raiders' prospects looked murky Wednesday when they came in at No. 18 in the final NAIA Top 25 coaches' poll, but a day later Southern Oregon University was named among 16 host sites that will launch the 64-team tournament. The Raiders will play the second of two Round of 64 games at SOU on March 15 and host a Round of 32 matchup on March 16. Game times have yet to be announced.
The Raiders (25-4 overall) were the lowest-ranked team to snag a host bid. Of the 16 sites, two are neutral (hosted by the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference) and the rest are on-campus locations.
SOU will learn who is coming to Ashland when the complete bracket is revealed March 7 at 5 p.m. Following the first and second rounds, the last 16 teams standing will head to Sioux City, Iowa, and play out the remainder of the tournament March 21-26 at the Tyson Events Center.
After winning the Cascade Conference regular season title, the Raiders defeated Corban in the CCC Tournament quarterfinals Tuesday in Ashland. They're riding a 15-game winning streak into Friday's 5:30 p.m. semifinal against Eastern Oregon at Lithia Motors Pavilion.