March 7, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE, NC - Fayetteville State is having a remarkable women's basketball season; which remains in the hunt for a NCAA Playoff berth. The Lady Broncos have moved to the eighth position in the latest NCAA Division II Atlantic regional rankings; released Wednesday afternoon. The latest rankings considered games played through Sunday, March 3.

Fayetteville State (24-5 overall) advanced through the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association Basketball Tournament for a title match with Shaw University. Despite falling 72-53, FSU advanced a position in the NCAA Division II Atlantic Region. The previous rankings dropped the Lady Broncos from 7th to 9th. Only the top eight teams in each region encompass the 64-team NCAA DII Tournament.

After the championship run, a buzz has returned to the program after the latest rankings were released. Fayetteville State was out of contention following its home loss to the Lady Bears in the regular season. Only a championships title would ensure FSU's postseason appearance. With the tournament loss to the reigning national and CIAA champion Shaw, who is ranked 4th in the Atlantic Region Tournament, the Lady Broncos will need an at-large bid.

Gannon University leads the rankings with a 26-3 overall record and a 24-3 regional record. Edinboro (21-5, 20-5) and Indiana (Pa.) (22-7, 22-6) is second and third. With Shaw (24-4, 21-4) at fourth, #5 Glenville State (24-3, 24-3), #6 California (Pa.) (20-7, 20-7), #7 Bloomsburg (21-5, 21-5), #9 Shippensburg (20-7, 18-7) and #10 Millersville (20-7, 19-6) round out the top 10.

On Sunday, March 10th, the NCAA and WebStream Sports will be producing a Division II Women's Basketball selection Show. The show, which will air on NCAA.com at 10:00 pm ET, will reveal the teams moving on to the postseason.

The NCAA regional rankings determine the postseason participants for the NCAA Division II Tournament. Automatic berths are granted to the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC), the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WVIAC) and the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA) champions. Shaw has captured the CIAA automatic bid while Fairmont State has earned the WVIAC.

The remaining spots will be taken by the PSAC champion and the five at-large bids. The top-ranked team after the conference tournaments will host the eight-team regional; which may be Gannon University (Erie, Pa.).

Fayetteville State remains 22nd on the national USA Today Coaches Poll with 100 total points.