jacketbasketball_logoThe Howard Payne University women’s basketball team will play Lewis and Clark College in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship Tournament, the NCAA announced on Monday afternoon.

Via a webcast Monday afternoon on ncaa.com, the NCAA placed Howard Payne (21-7 overall) against Lewis and Clark College (21-6 overall) of Portland, Oregon in the opening round. Coe College (24-3 overall) of Cedar Rapids, Iowa will host the first and second rounds where HPU will be on March 4th and 5th.

If Howard Payne wins the opening round versus Lewis and Clark they would play the winner of Coe College and University of Minnesota-Morris (21-6 overall) in the round of 32 at the same location. Game times have not yet been released.

Printable NCAA III WBSK Tournament Bracket

The HPU Lady Jackets received the American Southwest Conference automatic tournament bid after winning the 2011 ASC Championship on Sunday with an 83-69 victory over Louisiana College.