USF women's basketball earned a berth in the 2002 Women's National Invitational Tournament (WNIT) and will host the Trojans of USC Wednesday, March 13 at War Memorial Gym in a 7:00 PM contest. USF (18-11) powered to a 9-5 record in the West Coast Conference good for a share of second place, while USC (15-13) recorded an 11-7 record in the Pac-10 this season.

San Francisco's selection to the WNIT field culminates the most successful season for the Lady Dons since USF advanced to back-to-back-to-back NCAA Tournaments from 1995-97. The berth marks the first for the Lady Dons in the post season WNIT, although San Francisco did play in the Preseason WNIT, a 85-79 overtime setback to Arizona in the 1996-97 campaign.

With the berth, USF advances to the eighth postseason appearance in program history - four regional berths in the AIAW Tournament (1978-81) and three NCAA showings (1995-97). The Lady Dons advanced to the Sweet-16 in the 1996 NCAA Tournament and competed in the Small College National Finals in the 1980 AIAW Tournament.

USF welcomes the opportunity to host for the first time in the post season. The Lady Dons have been tough at home this season, posting a 10-4 record at War Memorial Gym. San Francisco defeated USC at home in the 1990-91 season with a 90-77 victory against the Lisa Leslie-led Women of Troy.

This marks the third meeting between the two teams in the post season, with the last coming in the 1997 NCAA Tournament First Round where the Trojans seized a 68-55 victory against the Lady Dons in Gainesville, Florida. San Francisco dropped a 63-50 contest to the Women of Troy in the 1980 AIAW Regionals at San Jose.

The winner of Wednesday night's game faces the winner of a first round match-up between Washington (17-11) and North Texas (21-8) either Saturday (March 16) or Sunday (March 17) at a site to be announced. All games, including the semifinals and championship, will be hosted by participating schools at their home facility. The quarterfinals of the tournament will be March 19-21, the semifinals will be played on March 23-24, and the WNIT Championship will take place on March 26, 27 or 28.

USF vs. USC All-Time Series Regular Season Series Tied 2-2, USC leads post season series 2-0

@USF def. USC 66-65, 1979-80, USC def. USF 63-60, 1980 AIAW Regionals, @USC def. USF 86-58, 1983-84, @ USF def. USC 90-77, 1990-91, @ USC def. USF 50-49, 1991-92, USC def. USF 68-55, 1997 NCAA First Round

link to bracket: http://www.womensnit.com/2002-Bracket.pdf