SAN ANTONIO — After defeating the Drake Bulldogs in the Missouri Valley Conference championship Sunday 78-70, Bradley women’s basketball awaited their seeding for the NCAA Women’s Tournament.
During the bracket reveal held on ESPN’s Women’s Selection Special, the No. 11 seed Braves discovered their first round opponent in the Hemisfair Region: the No. 6 seed Texas Longhorns.
The Longhorns were 18-9 overall this season, going 11-7 in Big 12 Conference play.
The Braves finished the season 17-11, 10-8 in the Missouri Valley Conference.
It’s the Braves’ first ever trip to the NCAA Women’s Tournamant after capturing the program’s first Missouri Valley Conference title.
Senior Gabi Haack said it meant a lot considering everything that happened last year.
“It was pretty devastating last year to have [the MVC Tournament] cancelled,” said Haack. “I know I used that as motivation for this summer and upcoming season.”
Coach Andrea Gorski said what it meant to be the first Bradley women’s team to ever qualify for the NCAA Tournament or win the Missouri Valley.
“As a Bradley alum, it makes it even more special,” said Gorski. “[The seniors] deserve this — to take the program where they have — it’s one of those fairy tale stories.
“It’s really special to be the first in anything — this is something no one will ever be able to take away from us.”
The Braves and Longhorns will match-up Monday, March 22 at 7 p.m. with play-by-play on 1290 WIRL.
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