Springfield, Mass. - February 26, 2024 - For the second time in the last three seasons, the Springfield College women's basketball program is headed back to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament.

Springfield earned its second-ever at-large bid into the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament and will square off against Widener on Friday at Bates.

In her 33rd season at the helm of the Pride, head coach Naomi Graves has led Springfield to a 22-5 record this season. The Pride, which was receiving votes in both the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III National Coaches' Poll and the D3hoops.com Top 25 National Poll, will enter the national tournament for the eighth time in program history. 

Previously, Graves has guided Springfield to an Elite Eight in in 2005, the NCAA Sweet 16 in 2022, the NCAA Second Round in 2001 and 2002, then first round appearances in 2003, 2006, and 2014.  

Widener enters the tournament with a 23-4 record and earned an automatic bid into the NCAA Championship Tournament after it knocked off top-seeded Messiah, 68-62, to win the MAC Commonwealth Championship for the first time since 2009.

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