UM in Montana Saturday against No. 10 Texas Tech

ORONO – A year ago, the University of Maine women’s basketball team pretty much knew its season was already over when it gathered at Alfond Arena’s Dexter Lounge for the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament Selection Show.

The mood there Sunday afternoon was down-right festive.

The greatest worry for the Black Bears coming off a 68-43 victory over Boston University in Saturday’s America East championship game was whether they might need to pack a bathing suit for their trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Instead, they’ll need to take along a winter jacket and a pair of boots on their way west.

Coach Sharon Versyp’s 25-6 Bears earned a No. 13 seed in the Mideast Regional and play 10th-ranked and No. 4 seed Texas Tech (24-7) Saturday in a first-round game at the University of Montana’s Adams Event Center in Missoula (elevation 3,200 feet).

“It would be really cool if we could go somewhere warm, but who cares? Our name was on the TV and we’re going somewhere, so it doesn’t really matter, said senior Heather Ernest of Temple, whose horse is named Montana.

UMaine players, coaches and administrators were joined by a standing-room-only throng of family, friends and fans to watch Sunday afternoon’s selections on big-screen TVs.

The only mysteries were the Bears’ opponent and the location of the game.

“It’s so exciting. It almost hadn’t sunk in yet until you saw your name on the screen,” said senior Julie Veilleux of Augusta, who was among those wishing for some beach time.

“We wanted to go someplace warm, Florida, someplace like that, but it’s not about that,” she added. We’re just excited to get out on the court and play a very good team.”

This marks the seventh appearance in the NCAA Tournament for UMaine but is its first since 2000, when it earned an at-large bid under coach Joanne Palombo-McCallie.

Versyp was pleased where UMaine fell in the pairings, especially when compared to Boston University drawing a No. 16 seed against No. 1 Connecticut a year ago.

“Being a 13th seed or a 12th seed, I think you really have a chance to do some good things,” Versyp said. “I think we can make it very competitive and we’re going to do everything in our power to get it done.”

In Saturday’s other game at Missoula, fifth-seeded Louisiana Tech (27-2) meets No. 12 host Montana (27-4).

UMaine’s seeding was determined by the NCAA Women’s Basketball Committee, which makes the pairings for the tournament. The Bears had an unofficial Rating Percentage Index (RPI) of 56 and Texas Tech of the Big 12 Conference was No. 12 according to one unofficial source.

The NCAA uses the RPI as one of its criteria in making its determinations. There were 15 women’s teams that earned automatic berths and had lower RPI ratings than UMaine.

The Big 12 is the second-rated conference, while America East checks in at 16th among the 31 Division I leagues.

“It’s a very special moment and we really need to take this opportunity to enjoy the ride,” said Versyp, who vowed UMaine wasn’t just planning to show up, but to win.

Freshman Ashley Underwood of Benton, who played a key role as a 3-point specialist for the Bears, feels fortunate to be going to the NCAAs.

“This has been my dream and I’m a freshman,” Underwood said. “I’m so lucky to be experiencing it already. I’m very excited.”

The feeling was mutual for freshman Lindsey Hugstad-Vaa, who had a feeling the timing was great to join a veteran-laden UMaine squad this season.

“It’s incredible because on most teams you wait forever and you have to work your way up, freshman to senior to get an opportunity like this,” said Hugstad-Vaa, whose sister Courtney is a distance runner at Montana State and plans to attend Saturday’s game.

Texas Tech is coming off last Wednesday’s 80-72 loss to Baylor in the quarterfinals of the Big 12 Conference tournament.

Coach Marsha Sharp’s Lady Raiders, who finished tied for fourth in the league, have lost three of their last four games. However, Texas Tech has made 15 consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament under Sharp and has 10 visits to the Sweet 16, four Elite Eight appearances and won the national championship in 1993.