The wait is over. After 43 years the Fresno State women's basketball team will be playing in the NCAA tournament.
On Monday, the Bulldogs gathered at the Josephine Theatre to watch the selection show on ESPN and when their name came across the TV screen the standing room only crowd cheered loudly as it was announced Fresno State was going to be a No. 14 seed and play No. 3 seed Baylor in Albuquerque, New Mexico at The Pit on Saturday.
"It was relief was what it was," senior Erica Henry said when she saw Fresno State come across the TV screen. "I had butterflies inside my stomach beforehand. But once I saw the name I relaxed. It feels good to know where we are going, who we are playing and when we are playing."
The game will be at 11 a.m. Pacific time and it can be seen live on ESPN 2 on Saturday with Bob Wischusen and Jimmy Dykes calling the action.
Baylor is 24-6 and is ranked No. 12 in the AP poll. The Lady Bears have five players that average in double figures led by Angela Tisdale's 16.2 points a game. Baylor has been to the NCAA tournament five straight years and seven times in the last eight years. Baylor won the national championship in 2004-05.
The winner of the Baylor vs. Fresno State game will play with winner of No. 6 Pittsburg against No. 11 Wyoming on Monday. The four teams are playing in the Spokane Regional. Other games being played at the Pit in the Spokane Regional is No. 5 West Virginia vs. No. 12 New Mexico and No. 4 Vanderbilt vs. No. 13 Montana.
Fresno State earned the automatic bid to the NCAA tournament by beating New Mexico State in the WAC tournament championship game on Saturday, 72-56. Baylor finished 12-4 in the Big 12 conference.
"I am very proud of our team," Fresno State coach Adrian Wiggins said. "We have good assistant coaches, good support staff and to see it all come together and lead to this is very exciting. It's exciting. We enjoyed the suspense and it is a memory we'll have for a long time."
Bulldog fans wishing to purchase tickets should call the Fresno State ticket office at 559-278-7929. Single session ticket prices are $21 for adults and $16 for students. Fans should contact the Hilton hotel in Albuquerque for hotel information.