Mississippi State Named to 2014 Preseason Women’s NIT Field

STARKVILLE, Miss. (WCBI/MSU Athletics) – After a stellar run to the WNIT quarterfinals last season, the Mississippi State women’s basketball team begins the 2014-15 season as part of the Preseason WNIT field that was announced Wednesday.

The Bulldogs will be making their second appearance in the 16-team field. Joining MSU in the field is Albany, Arkansas State, Central Arkansas, Colorado, Eastern Kentucky, Jackson State, Mercer, North Dakota, Penn State, Rider, Seton Hall, St. Francis Brooklyn, Towson, West Virginia and Western Kentucky.

(HailState.com)

Head coach Vic Schaefer’s squad is one of nine teams that advanced to the postseason a year ago. Five teams in the field advanced to the NCAA Tournament, while the Bulldogs and three others earned berths in the WNIT.

Teams are guaranteed three games, with participating schools hosting each round. The opening round begins Nov. 14-15, with round following Nov. 16-17. The semifinals will be played Nov. 19-20, while the championship game is set for Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2 p.m. CT on CBS Sports Network.

Teams that lose in the opening two rounds will play consolation games Nov. 21-22.

The official tournament bracket with first-round opponents, dates and times will be announced in June.

Mississippi State returns five starters from last season’s squad that finished 22-14, the fourth-most wins and the fifth 20-win campaign in program history. The Bulldogs also won three postseason games for the first time while setting new top marks for points (2,551), rebounds (1,410) and made free throws (705).

The Bulldogs also set a new attendance mark, as 48,733 fans came to the Hump to watch Schaefer’s team.

MSU’s only appearance in the event came during the 2002-03 campaign. The Bulldogs knocked off South Alabama and Tulsa before falling on the road to Penn State, who is also in this season’s field.

Fans can get information on season tickets by calling the MSU Ticket Office at 1-888-GO-DAWGS.