The Drury Lady Panthers will face No. 1 ranked Ashland in the opening round of the NCAA-II Tournament at 1:30 pm (CT) on Friday in Allendale, Michigan. Drury is 25-6 and seeded seventh in the Midwest Regional, while Ashland is 30-1 and holds the top spot. This will be the sixth game between the two teams, with Ashland leading the series 3-2.

The Big Picture

The matchup between Drury and Ashland in the NCAA-II Tournament's opening round highlights a significant rivalry with historic battles that have shaped the national championship picture, emphasizing the intense competition at the collegiate level.

By the Numbers State of Play
  • Drury received an at-large bid to the tournament and is set to face Ashland in the opening round.
  • The winner of the Drury-Ashland game will advance to the Midwest Regional semifinals to play the winner of Ferris State and Lewis.
  • Drury has a successful history in the NCAA-II Tournament, making this their 21st appearance.
  • Ashland enters the tournament on a 22-game winning streak with their only loss of the season against Ferris State in December.
What's Next

The outcome of the Drury-Ashland game will determine the teams advancing to the Midwest Regional semifinals, setting the stage for intense matchups as the tournament progresses towards the regional championship and potentially the national title.

Bottom Line

The NCAA-II Tournament's opening round clash between Drury and Ashland showcases a pivotal moment in their longstanding rivalry, underlining the competitive nature of collegiate women's basketball and the high stakes involved in advancing through the tournament stages.