February 21, 2008

The Jills head to the playoffs for the second consecutive season, this year as the # 2 seed.  Northland finished 10-4 in the conference, one game behind the leader, Northwestern College (11-3).  Also joining the Jills and the Eagles are the number three seed UM-Morris Cougars (9-5) and the fourth seed, the Presentation Saints, who finished 8-6.

Northland will play in the opening game of the tournament, at 2 pm on Friday against the Cougars.  Northland swept UM-Morris, winning at home 69-56 and getting a hard fought victory last weekend 71-66 at Morris.  Northland split with Presentation, with each team winning on the road, and then were swept by Northwestern this year. 

Coach Roiger had this to say about the Cougars, "They are an excellent team, and we had to play well both times this year.  We definitely will have our hands full with them.  They lead our league in scoring and have several players who can really put the ball in the basket.  We will have to stop Benson, one of the best scorers in our league, and Kocer, who presents an inside outside threat.  Maynard is another tough matchup for us because she can hit the three and post up.  They are also very physical and tenacious on defense, and we have to take care of the ball.  It should be a great game!"

Presentation and Northwestern play at 6 pm Friday.  The winners will meet in the championship on Saturday afternoon at 4 pm.  All games Northland participates in will be broadcast live on Northland's webcast.