Lady Bulldogs Earn NCAA Berth; To Face Texas Saturday In Columbus, Ohio

? 2009 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Official Bracket | Printable Version

STARKVILLE, MISS. -- For the first time since the 2002-03 season, the Mississippi State women's basketball team is headed to the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Bulldogs (22-9, 8-6 SEC), earned an at-large bid as the 11th seed in the Berkeley Regional, and will face sixth-seeded Texas in the first round on Saturday at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

The Lady Bulldogs and Longhorns will get underway at Noon ET (11 a.m. CT) on Saturday and the game will be broadcast nationally by ESPN2. Matched up opposite State and Texas is third-seeded and host Ohio State and 14th-seeded Sacred Heart.

Mississippi State and Texas have never met in the history of both programs. For Mississippi State, it is the fifth NCAA Tournament appearance.

"Every team sets a goal at the beginning of the season to win a championship," said Mississippi State head coach Sharon Fanning. "This year, we finished in the top half of the league and we have an opportunity for the NCAA Tournament, two goals we set at the beginning of the year. Hopefully, we will play our best basketball at noon on Saturday in Columbus, Ohio."

Mississippi State has not faced a Big 12 foe since last season against Oklahoma.

The Lady Bulldogs joined six other SEC teams in the field which also included Auburn, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

MISSISSIPPI STATE TICKET INFORMATION FOR COLUMBUS

After processing the pre-ordered tickets, the MSU Athletic Ticket Office has a limited number of tickets available. Bulldog Club members and Lady Bulldog season ticket holders can request Women's NCAA Tournament tickets by calling the ticket office at 888-GO-DAWGS beginning at 8:30 a.m. CST Tuesday. Fans will have until Wednesday, March 18 at 4:30 p.m. CST to make their request and all tickets will be assigned by Bulldog Club priority rank order. Tickets are $17 (price subject to change) for each session. Fans who order tickets to round one will have their tickets automatically renewed for the second round as the Lady Bulldogs advance.

Tickets will be available at will call at the Nationwide Arena Box Office beginning Saturday, March 21 with times to be determined.

Mississippi State University Athletics

Lady Bulldogs Earn NCAA Berth; To Face Texas Saturday In Columbus, Ohio