Wingate University, Newberry College in Field of 2006 NCAA South Atlantic Regional Tournament
March 6, 2006

Portions Courtesy Presbyterian College, Wingate University Sports Information Offices

Wingat University and Newberry College will represent the South Atlantic Conference in the upcoming NCAA Division II South Atlantic Regional tournament in Raleigh, N.C. Hosting the games will be the top seed, Shaw University, and the contests will be played in Spaulding Gymnasium on the Shaw campus.

The number two seed Wingate University women’s basketball team (23-6 overall) will face the number seven seed USC Upstate in the first round. Newberry has a more daunting assignment in that the Lady Indians will be facing top-seeded Shaw University on their home floor.

First-round games will be played on Friday, March 10, with the semi-finals on Saturday, March 11 and the championship game on Monday, March 13.

The Bulldogs earned an at-large bid to the 2006 NCAA Division II play-offs, while Newberry earned an automatic bid by capturing the Food Lion South Atlantic Conference tournament title.

The winner of the Wingate/USC Upstate game will take on the winner of the number three seed Clayton State University and the number six seed Johnson C. Smith University encounter. The winner of the Shaw/Newberry game will face the winner of the North Carolina Central University/Georgia College and State University contest.

Wingate defeated USC Upstate 97-73 November 18, 2005 in the Ferguson Enterprises Classic, hosted by Tusculum College. The Bulldogs have a 3-3 record against regional tournament participants, with two wins over Newberry included in the victory total. Johnson C. Smith, Newberry and North Carolina Central own 2005-06 victories over Wingate.

Newberry has wins against second-seeded Wingate University, fourth-seeded North Carolina Central University, sixth-seeded Johnson C. Smith University, and seventh-seeded USC Upstate. The Lady Indians lost their matchup with third-seed Clayton State in the Lakers' holiday tournament during Christmas break. Newberry is 4-3 against regional tournament opponents.

This is Newberry's second consecutive national tournament appearance, and second straight trip to Raleigh as well. Last season ended with a 79-54 loss to #2 Clayton State in Spaulding Gym on Shaw's campus.

Game times will be announced on Monday. For more information, visit the NCAA web site at www.ncaasports.com.