NWF Opens NJCAA Tournament Against Casper Tomorrow
NJCAA DI Women's Basketball Championships - Second Round
#14 Casper vs. #3 Northwest Florida State
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | 5:30 PM (CDT)
Casper, Wyoming | Ford Wyoming Center
CASPER, Wyo. — The reigning national champions are gearing up for another exciting run in the NJCAA Women's Basketball Championships as they aim for their third title in four years. On Thursday, March 28, 2024, the No. 3 ranked Northwest Florida State women's basketball team will face off against No. 14 Casper in the second round, held in Casper, Wyoming.
Fresh off their victory against Gulf Coast in the FCSAA State/Region VIII Championship game, where they secured a hard-fought 61-57 win over the Commodores, the Raiders are riding high. This triumph marked their third Region VIII title in the last four seasons, securing them a coveted spot in this year's national tournament. Ranked third overall, just behind Hutchinson and Wabash, the team is poised for success.
Now, the Raiders embark on a journey to etch their names in history by aiming to become the first team since Gulf Coast State in 2017 to repeat as National Champions. Their first hurdle? Overcoming this year's host, No. 14 Casper, in a highly anticipated matchup tomorrow afternoon at 4:30 PM.
RAIDERS RESUME
Northwest Florida finished their 2023-24 season with a 27-3 overall record, which included a 9-3 conference record,10-2 record at home, 9-1 on the road and 8-0 in neutral venues. The team earned a share of the Panhandle Conference with Gulf Coast, and would eventually go on to defeat gulf coast in the FCSAA State/Region VIII Championship 61-51, claiming their third title in four years.
The Raiders began the season as the preseason favorites to cut down the next this year, beginning the season as number one in the nation. The held the spot for eight weeks after an 18-0 start to the season, until ultimately falling to No. 2 Gulf Coast in week nine. The Raiders spent 11 of the 14 weeks this season ranked inside the top-five and never dropped lower than six.
Northwest Florida has played a total of ten games against NJCAA top-25 ranked teams this season, including six games against teams in this years tournament (Eastern Florida, Pearl River, Gulf Coast).
The Raiders carry one of the deepest lineups in the county, with NCAA Division I talent flooding the roster top-to-bottom. Notably, First-Team All-Panhandle selections Mekhia Chase and Deborah Davenport, and All-FCSAA/Region VIII selections Celia Rivere and Destiney McPhaul.
While the team is well balanced, they standout particularly on the defensive side of the ball. Collectively, the Raiders are the best defensive team in the nation, holding opponents to 47.9 points per game, which ranks second, and 32.7 percent shooting, which ranks fifth. Additionally, the Raiders do a good job at taking good shots - ranking second in field goal percentage (49.6) - while rebounding and distributing the ball effectively too.
THUNDERBIRDS RESUME
Casper, the host of this years tournament, had an impressive season in 2023-24. The team finished the year with a 29-5 record, earning themselves a Region IX Championship with a win over Northwestern College two weeks ago.
The T-Birds rely heavily on their explosive offense, which averages nearly 80 points a game (79), ranking 13th in the nation. They also shoot the ball well, hitting a 45.2% clip from the field, good for 9th best in the nation. Like the Raiders, the T-Birds also rebound and distribute the ball efficiently, ranking top-30 in both regards.
RAIDERS TOURNAMENT HISTORY
On Thursday, the Raiders, led by Head Coach Bart Walker, will mark their sixth consecutive appearance (12th overall) in the National Tournament. Since his return to the Panhandle in 2017, Walker has steered the Raiders to six appearances in the NJCAA Tournament, boasting four Elite Eight finishes and clinching two National Championships in 2021 and 2023.
IF THEY ADVANCE
Should the Raiders win tomorrow, they will move on to Friday's 6:45 Quarterfinal matchup, squaring off against the victor of game 16, featuring either Shelton State or Three Rivers. A win in that game will propel them into the Final Four on Saturday, where they will contend against the winner of game 18, vying for an opportunity to advance to yet another Championship game.
For complete coverage of Northwest Florida State Athletics, visit nwfraiders.com or follow us on social media: Facebook (Northwest Florida Raiders), Instagram (@nwfraiders) and X (@NWFRaiders)
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