By ADAM MILLER

ECU Athletic Media Relations

 

GREENVILLE — For the first time, the East Carolina women’s basketball team will host a Women’s National Invitation Tournament game, as the Pirates received their third-straight selection to the field, according to an announcement Monday evening.

East Carolina (21-10, 11-7 AAC) received an at-large bid to the WNIT, and will face Big South Conference runner-up Radford (17-13, 14-6) tomorrow at 7 p.m., at Williams Arena in Minges Coliseum. The selection marks the first time in program history the purple and gold has been invited to a postseason tournament in three-consecutive seasons. It will also be ECU’s fourth appearance in the tournament in the last six years.

“We are thrilled for our team, fans and community,” head coach Heather Macy said.  “Our administration has supported us and worked incredibly hard to afford us the opportunity to not only play in our third consecutive postseason, but also in front of Pirate Nation.”

The Pirates own a 1-3 all-time record in the WNIT as their first came in 2010 when they took down Drexel, 78-76, in overtime on its home court before falling at Maryland two days later in the second round. East Carolina returned to the tournament in 2013, but suffered an 87-77 overtime loss in the first round at Western Kentucky, before another first round exit at George Washington last season.

The field of 64 comprises 32 teams that earned automatic berths and 32 teams that were chosen at-large. The WNIT begins with first round games Wednesday through Friday. The event culminates Saturday, April 5 with the championship game, which will be broadcast live on CBS Sports Network. All games are hosted by participating schools.

For the third time in as many years, ECU eclipsed the 20-win mark — an accomplishment that had never been achieved in program history before 2014-15.

The Pirates own a 2-1 edge over the Highlanders in the all-time series, with the last meeting coming Dec. 30, 1993 as East Carolina picked up an 80-73 lead. The two teams met in Greenville Dec. 13, 1985, where Radford escaped with a 65-60 victory.

Ticket prices for the WNIT first round game are $8 for adults (ages 13 and up) and $5 for youths (ages 12 and under). ECU students can receive free admission with their ECU OneCard. Women’s basketball season-ticket holders can go online here or call the ECU Ticket Office (800-DIAL-ECU) to reserve their same seat locations. Any fans without season tickets can go to the ECU Online Ticket Center and to place orders or call the ticket office.