CSUDH Selected to NCAA II Women's Basketball West Regional
March 7, 2005

CARSON, Calif.--(March 7, 2005)--March Madness officially begins on the Carson campus as the Cal State Dominguez Hills women's basketball team has been selected to play in the NCAA Division II Women's Basketball West Regional to be hosted by Seattle Pacific University, March 11-14 on campus in Brougham Pavilion.

The Toros are making their first appearance at the postseason event since the 1995-96 campaign, one that saw them make a first-round exit to Montana State-Billings.

"We are very excited, but more than that I am extremely proud of our team," said CSUDH Head Coach Van Girard who is in his 17th-season at the helm of the program. "They worked extremely hard to earn this berth, not just during the games but everyday on the court in practice. Now a new season begins and we are looking forward to playing our next opponent."

CSUDH enters the eight-team regional tournament as the No. 7 seed after finishing the regular season with a 17-9 overall record and in second place in the California Collegiate Athletic Association with a 15-5 mark. The Toros will take on No. 2 seed Western Washington University (23-4) on Friday, March 11 at 2:30 p.m.

The first-round action begins on Friday at 12:30 with No. 3 seed Chico State (22-5) facing No. 6 seed Cal Poly Pomona (20-7), followed by the Toros and Vikings at 2:30. Then No. 4 seed Saint Martin's (21-6) will face No. 5 seed Cal State Bakersfield (20-7) at 5:30 followed by host and top-seeded Seattle Pacific (25-2) vs. Montana State-Billings (21-6) at 7:30.

In all, 64 teams received Division II berths nationwide. Winners of the eight regional tournaments will advance to the Elite Eight, March 23, 24 and 25 in Hot Springs, AR. The West representative will face the Great Lakes winner March 23 at 12 noon PST. The NCAA title game will be televised live on ESPN2.

West Regional tickets will go on sale beginning today at 9 a.m. at the SPU Athletics Office (206-281-2085) in the pavilion. Prices are $10 for reserved seating and $7 for general admission ($5 for students and youth). Ticket office hours are 9-4:30 through Thursday, 9-11 a.m. Friday and 9-4:30 March 14. Box office windows open at 11:30 a.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 5 p.m. March 14.

For more information, contact the CSUDH Athletic Media Relations office at (310) 243-3764 or stay logged on to The Toros Online.