At-large spot possible for Husson

PORTLAND – The basketball season for the Husson College women may not be over. But, Tuesday night, head coach Kissy Walker wasn’t ready to think about any at-large bids to this year’s NAIA Division II national tournament.

The tournament will be held from March 12-17 at Western Oregon College in Monmouth, Ore. St. Joseph’s College, which defeated Husson 75-63 in the NAIA District 5 final at the Portland Expo here Tuesday night, earned an automatic bid.

“I’m just going to give them some time off,” Walker said. “On Thursday, we’ll meet and talk about it. It’s not something I want to count on and get our hearts set on. We had our hearts set on beating St. Joe’s.”

Husson still has an outside shot at an at-large bid, however.

Husson is currently ranked eighth in the country, but could drop for next Monday’s final rankings.

Three at-large bids are up for grabs for the 20-team tourney. One spot is all but taken.

Northern Montana, ranked No. 1 nationally, and Northern State (S.D.), ranked No. 4, are both in Dist. 12. The loser of their district tournament should get a bid.

Western Oregon, the host school, is ranked 11th while Pacific College of Oregon is ranked 10th. If Western Oregon loses its district tournament, a bid will be given since it is the host school.

If Western Oregon wins, two at-large bids will go out to the highest-ranked teams which did not win their district tournament.

In other words, Husson’s hopes rely on no upsets at other tournaments, which get under way later this week.

“It’s a good shot,” said SJC Coach Mike McDevitt. “I’d love to see two District 5 teams go. I just don’t know how a loss in the district finals will affect the raters (voters).”

It’s wait-and-see time at Husson College. Stay tuned.