It’s time to dance.
For the first time in more than a decade, the Saint Mary’s women’s basketball team (20-7, 13-5 MIAC) is headed to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Tournament after earning an at-large bid to the national field.
Following a semifinal loss to top-seeded Concordia College-Moorhead in the MIAC Semifinals on Feb. 26, the Cardinals were left waiting to learn whether their season would continue. That answer came Monday, Mar. 2, during the NCAA selection show, when Saint Mary’s saw its name appear on the bracket for just the fourth time in program history.
Placed in the Oshkosh Region, the Cardinals will travel to Oshkosh, Wis., to face Wisconsin Lutheran College on Friday, March 6 at 4:45 p.m. The opening-round matchup marks the first meeting between the two programs.
“Earning a berth into the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament means everything to us,” said head coach Courtney Shelton, in just her second season at the helm and already guiding one of the most impressive turnarounds in program history. “It’s something that hasn’t been done here in a while, so there’s a real sense of pride in what we’ve accomplished not only for Saint Mary’s University, but the Winona community.
“At the same time, we know the job isn’t finished. We’re excited for the opportunity to be playing basketball in the month of March and ready to keep competing.”
The Cardinals last reached the NCAA Tournament during the 2013-14 season, falling in the opening round to host UW-Oshkosh by 10 points. The program’s deepest run came in 1986, when Saint Mary’s advanced to the second round.
This year’s squad is powered by a balanced and dynamic attack. Freshman Ayla Olson ranks fifth in the MIAC in scoring at 15.6 points per game, while Brianna Nusbaum sits seventh at 15.1 points per contest. Nusbaum also etched her name into the record book earlier this season with a 33-point performance against Grinnell College in November, setting a new single-game program record.
The Cardinals boast the conference’s top scoring offense at 71.4 points per game and rank second in rebounding at 38.7 boards per contest, while limiting opponents’ second-chance opportunities. The Olson sister duo, Ayla and junior Kali Olson, anchor the defense, each averaging one block per game.
“Being able to play in the NCAA Tournament relatively close to campus is a great opportunity for our Cardinal supporters to be part of the experience,” Shelton said. “It also allows our friends and family to make the trip. Having that support in the stands will mean a lot to our players and makes this an even more memorable experience for our team.”
Shelton’s message throughout the season has remained consistent: be where your feet are. Now, that focus shifts to Friday’s first-round test.
“Our players are excited, and we’re looking forward to competing in a great environment.”
About the Warriors
- Wisconsin Lutheran enters the tournament with its third consecutive NCAA appearance and 14th overall in program history.
- The Warriors claimed the NACC regular-season title and conference tournament championship.
- The coaching staff earned NACC Coaching Staff of the Year honors.
- Sophomore guard Lily Oiler was named the league’s Defensive Player of the Year.
- Much like the Cardinals, the Warriors feature a youthful roster, with five players earning all-conference recognition.
- Defensively, Wisconsin Lutheran ranks second in the NACC, allowing just 51.4 points per game.
The winner of Friday’s matchup will advance to Saturday’s second round to face either UW-Oshkosh or Webster University at 7:15 p.m.
TOURNAMENT INFORMATION
NCAA DIII Women’s Basketball Tournament
WHAT: DIII NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament
WHEN: Friday, Mar. 6 at 4:45 p.m.
WHERE: Kolf Sports Center – Oshkosh, Wis.
TEAMS: Host UW-Oshkosh (24-3, 12-2), Webster University (19-8, 14-2), Saint Mary’s University of Minn. (20-7, 13-5), and Wisconsin Lutheran College (23-5, 17-1).
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