Monday night provided double the excitement for local college basketball fans. The women's teams from St. Bonaventure and UB learned where they were heading in the NCAA basketball tournament.
After winning its conference tournament over the weekend, the UB women knew they were heading to the Big Dance. For St. Bonaventure, they needed to wait and hope after losing in their conference tournament. They had watched on Sunday as Bona's men's team sat in anguish, awaiting an at-large bid that never arrived.
But the women were awarded an at-large bid on Monday night. They were selected as a tenth seed and will play Oklahoma State on Friday night in Oregon.
UB's trip will be shorter, though the challenge may be more difficult. The women will head to Columbus, Ohio where they will play powerful Ohio State on their home court.
"Bring it on," was the response from UB coach Felisha Legette-Jack.
"It's their home court now but when we get out there, the same things happen. The same court, the same officials that call both ways."
The Buckeyes are 14 and 1 on their home court this season. That fact didn't damped the spirits of the team and its supporters as they gathered to watch at Santora's to watch the announcement.
One player, Stephanie Reid, came from Australia to play at UB.
"To be put on this type of stage and be along such great people playing at such a high level. This is exactly why I came here, to be given opportunities like this," Reid said.
"There's nothing like this anywhere else in the world and that's why America is such a great place for schools like this."
The Bulls meet the Buckeyes on Friday afternoon. The UB men's team will also play in the NCAA tournament when they meet Miami on Thursday.
