HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, Ky. – For the fifth-consecutive season, the Northern Kentucky University women's basketball team will continue play beyond its conference tournament as the Norse have been selected to be a part of the field of 16 teams in the Women's Basketball Invitational (WBI).
 
NKU will host South Carolina Upstate in the tournament's opening round on Thursday, March 17 at BB&T Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m., with the action carried live on ESPN3.
 
"We had a motto at the beginning of the season, and that was to 'Elevate,' and certainly our player have done a tremendous job of that this season, and they're being rewarded with an opportunity to continue playing," said head coach Dawn Plitzuweit. "It really is exciting to be a part of March Madness."
 
Tickets for the game are $5 for adults, $4 for youth, available at the Alice Sparks Ticket Office at BB&T Arena. Fans can also purchase tickets online at Ticketmaster.com. Season ticket holders can claim their regular-season seats by visiting their My Norse Tickets Account, longing on and paying for their tickets.
 
NKU students receive free admission with their All-Card, and all Norse Kids Club and Coach P's Platoon will also be admitted free.
 
This is the fourth time NKU has qualified for the WBI, having competed in the tournament in each of the last three seasons. Last year, NKU hosted a first-round contest in the WBI, falling to Marshall, 81-79. In 2014, the Norse hosted their first postseason game in the Division I era, defeating McNeese State, 84-72, in the first round of the WBI.
 
For more information on NKU women's basketball, like Northern Kentucky University Women's Basketball on Facebook or follow @NKUNorseWBB on Twitter.