Butler draws Duquesne in first round of Women's National Invitation Tournament

2009 Women's National Invitation Tournament Bracket (PDF)

INDIANAPOLIS -- Butler University will travel to Duquesne University on Thursday, March 19, for the opening round of the 2009 Women's National Invitation Tournament (WNIT). Game time is set for 7 p.m. ET.

The winner of Thursday's contest at the Palumbo Center will head to Milwaukee, Wis., for a second-round tilt against Marquette University.

Butler enters this week's tournament with a 19-11 overall record, while Duquesne is 20-11 on the season. The Bulldogs earned a #2 seed in the Horizon League Tournament after going 14-4 in conference action, while the Dukes earned a #5 seed in the Atlantic-10 Tournament after going 9-5 in League play.

Butler will be playing in its first postseason since 1998. The Bulldogs are also just one win from 20 in back-to-back seasons.

The WNIT awards an automatic berth to each of the nation's 31 conferences. The spot goes to the team that finishes the highest in the regular-season conference standings that does not advance to the NCAA Tournament. All WNIT teams must also have a .500 record or better to be eligible.

  

Butler Assistant SID Chris Urban contributed to this release