Indianapolis, IN (February 27, 2023) - The #8/9 DeSales University women's basketball team was selected as one of 16 1st/2nd round hosts for the NCAA Division III women's basketball tournament slated to begin on Friday evening in Billera Hall.

The Bulldogs (26-1) will take on Mitchell College (18-9) in the first round on Friday evening with game time set for 7:00 pm, with the University of Mary Washington (22-6) taking on Roger Williams University (25-3) in the other first round matchup at 4:30 pm on Friday. The two winners will then square off on Saturday evening at 7:00 pm in Billera Hall with the winner advancing to the "Sweet 16" the following weekend.

Tickets will be sold at the door and will be $10 for adults and $7 for seniors, students, and children (ages two and up).

DeSales is making its 16th trip to the NCAA Tournament and its fifth since the 2017 season after winning the MAC Freedom Championship on Saturday with a 59-36 win over Stevens. DSU has been to the "Sweet 16" twice since the brackets were expanded in 2008 and 2019.  Overall the Bulldogs are 8-15 all-time in the tournament. This will be the sixth time DeSales has hosted the NCAA Tournament and the second hosting the 1st/2nd round since the brackets were expanded to 64 teams. DSU also hosted the 1st/2nd round in 2019, the last time DeSales advanced into the "Sweet 16".

Mitchell College earned its bid into the NCAA Tournament winning the New England Collegiate Conference Championship defeating Eastern Nazarene College, 82-59. Mary Washington earned one of 19 Pool "C" bids into the tournament and Roger Williams earned the AQ winning the Commonwealth Coast Conference championship with a 61-51 win over Endicott College.

Head coach Fred Richter is in his 33rd season with the Bulldogs boasting a career mark of 638-250 (.718) entering the tournament.  He has led DeSales to 14 of its 16 NCAA Tournament appearances and has helped DSU win 13 conference championships (2 PAC, 11 MAC Freedom).

DeSales enters the tournament ranked #1 in the country in scoring defense allowing just 39.5 points per game, while also ranking among the national leaders in field goal percentage defense, turnovers forced, and scoring margin.

Senior Megan Bealer leads the team in scoring averaging 14.1 points per game, while also leading the MAC Freedom in steals with 97. Junior Mikaela Reese is averaging 10.8 points per game and 6.6 rebounds per game and fellow junior Lindsey Welsh is tossing in 10.1 points per game and leading the team in assists with 77. Junior Abigail Rafferty earned the MAC Freedom Tournament Most Valuable Player and is averaging 9.9 points and 8.2 rebounds per game for the Bulldogs.

Click here to view the full 2023 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Field of 64.