BOSTON -- The winner of tonight's 2011 America East Women's Basketball Championship title game between second-seeded Boston University and fourth-seeded University of Hartford will receive an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament's field of 64 teams. Tip-off at Case Gym on the Boston U. campus is scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Terriers and Hawks were the number one and two preseason picks in the coaches' poll, but each took their own path to get to the championship game. Boston U. won 10 in a row to open conference play this year and spent a large majority of the America East season atop the standings, but then the Terriers dropped four of their final six games to finish 12-4 and enter the tournament at the two seed. Boston U. upended #7 Vermont and #3 Binghamton last week in Hartford.
Hartford had its struggles early with a young team and a tough non-conference schedule among the most difficult in the country. The Hawks have been hot as of late though, capturing the four seed for the tournament by going 7-1 over the last eight games of the America East slate and winning two tough games in the quarterfinals last week against fifth-seeded Albany and top-seeded UMBC.
If Hartford were to win the crown, it would be the first time in league history that the four seed would come away with the Rowlands Trophy, given to the tournament champion each year. The second-seeded team has won four America East titles, including Vermont last year.
Boston U. and Hartford split the home-and-home regular season series with each team winning on its home court. The Terriers won, 58-50, in a January 23 contest against the Hawks at Case Gym.
For fans not able to attend tonight's game, live action will be televised on Comcast SportsNet in New England, ESPN3, and will be available to ESPN Full Court subscribers. Fans can also go to www.AmericaEast.com and iPhone users can go to www.packnetwork.com/aeiphone to watch the game as well as post-game celebration and press conferences live and for free!