For the fifth time in program history, the Head Coaches Caleb and Nicole Nieman and the Kentucky Wesleyan Women’s Basketball Team will be heading to the NCAA tournament. The Pathers (23-6) are the sixth ranked team in the regional, and will be facing the third ranked Grand Valley State Lakers (29-2), who are also ranked fifth in the country. Tipoff is set for Friday at 12 p.m. ET in Ashland, Ohio, the same location as the G-MAC tournament.
The Panthers are led by seniors Tahlia Walton and Cali Nolot, who were both named to the G-MAC All-Conference First Team last week. Walton lead the team with a 12.1 ppg average, while Nolot is second, averaging 10.1 ppg. Both reached the 1000 point plateau earlier this year. Two-time G-MAC All-Defensive Team member Shiya Hoosier is the motor for the Panther defense, leading the team in steals with 62, and always stepping up to guard the other team’s best player. Jordyn Barga easily leads the team with 179 rebounds, while Shaylee McDonald has dished out 82 assists on the year. Starter Corina Conley is having her best year, averaging 7.8 ppg and 4.3 rpg, and she leads the team with 46 offensive rebounds. With Reeva Hammelman, Mariah Edmonds, Myah Montgomery, and Hadley Lytton bringing some firepower off the bench, Wesleyan has the talent and teamwork to take down any team in the country.
Grand Valley State will be no easy foe, as they come into the contest with just two losses on the year. A perennial power, the Lakers are coming off a GLIAC Championship win over #24 Michigan Tech, who is the No. 4 ranked team in the region. The reigning Midwest Region Champions are led by Emily Spitzley at 14.1 ppg, and Ellie Droste at 10.3 ppg. The Lakers hang their hat on their defense, as they hold opponents to just 50 ppg on 34% shooting from the field, and an incredible 24% from three.
TICKET INFORMATION (ON SALE STARTING MARCH 7 AT 10 A.M.)
General admission tickets are available for sale online via the links below. Fans can also purchase tickets by visiting or calling (419-289-5336) the AU Campus Store during regular business hours. When ordering online, fans will want to choose to pick up in Ashland as the shipping method. Those that purchase tickets online must present their email with a confirmation receipt at the gate and will receive tickets.
Available tickets can also be purchased on game day in Kates Gymnasium starting one hour prior to each session.
Fans can purchase all-session passes, which include tickets for all three days, or single-session tickets.
Single Day Ticket Prices
- Reserved = $20
- Adult General Admission = $15
- Student/Senior General Admission = $10
All-Session Pass
- Reserved = $75
- Adult General Admission = $55
- Student/Senior General Admission = $35
Should the Panthers win against Grand Valley, their semi-final would take place at 5 p.m. ET on Saturday, with the championship game taking place at 7:30 p.m. ET on Monday.
