DES MOINES, Iowa – The Drake University women's basketball team is in the Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) for the second-consecutive season, the WNIT selection committee announced late Monday night.
Drake (22-9) will host Sacred Heart (20-12) on Thursday, March 17 at the Knapp Center in the first round of the 64-team postseason tournament. Game time versus the Pioneers will be announced Tuesday. This is the first-ever meeting between the two schools.
Drake has previously appeared in the WNIT 11 times, including making a run to the WNIT final four in 1999. The Bulldogs own a 13-12 all-time record in 25 WNIT games.
Drake and UNI are the two Missouri Valley Conference teams to make the challenging tournament field, which includes 36 teams with 20 or more victories.
This year's tournament features six teams from the Big Ten, five from the Mid-American Conference and four each from the ACC, C-USA and West Coast Conference. Four conferences each placed three teams – American, A-10, Big East and Colonial. Other conferences represented include Big West (2), Horizon (2), Missouri Valley (2), Pac-12 (2), Summit (2), Sun Belt (2), America East (1), Atlantic Sun (1), Big 12 (1), Big Sky (1), Big South (1), Ivy (1), MAAC (1), MEAC (1), Mountain West (1), Northeast (1), OVC (1), Patriot (1), SEC (1), Southern (1), Southland (1), SWAC (1) and WAC (1).
Drake women's basketball season ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase tickets for the first-round WNIT home game. While season ticket holders have the first opportunity to purchase tickets, the same seats as the regular season are not guaranteed. Ticket orders are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Season ticket holders have the benefit to purchase tickets prior to the general public. Tickets will go on-sale to general public at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. Tickets may also be purchased by visiting or calling the Knapp Center Ticket Office at 515-271-DOGS (3647).
Tickets are $12 for adults and $6 for youth (ages 3-18). All seats are reserved seating throughout the Knapp Center. Fans purchasing tickets online may pick their own seats then enter the arena using their credit card or Flash Seats app at the gate in order to avoid Ticket Office and Will Call lines on game day.
Parking for the first-round WNIT game will be free and is on a first-come, first-serve basis.
