Women’s Basketball: FAU’s historic season continues with WNIT bid, to take on USF in Tampa

March 13, 2012

2012 FAU Women's Basketball vs Florida International — Owls guards Teri Stamps (pictured) and Kimberly Smith lead the game with 36 3-pointers made. Photo courtesy of Owlpix.

Entering the season, FAU women’s basketball merely wanted to be on par with its male counterparts, a team coming off a conference championship.

They are now the last basketball squad at FAU standing.

After its best season ever in the Sun Belt, 17-12 FAU is WNIT (Women’s National Invitational Tournament) bound. Despite losing 59-42 in the semifinals of the Sun Belt Tournament to Arkansas-Little Rock, the Owls are headed to Tampa to play USF in the first round on Thursday March 15, to the delight of their coach.

“Awesomeness,” FAU head coach Chancellor Dugan wrote on her Twitter account Monday upon learning her team was extended an invitation into the WNIT.

2012 FAU Women's Basketball vs North Texas — FAU women’s basketball head coach Chancellor Dugan has the Owls in the WNIT after a 7-21 record in 2010-2011. Photo courtesy of Owlpix.

Keyed by an April Goins put-back layup with 1.8 seconds left, FAU’s 56-55 victory over North Texas in the first round of the Sun Belt Tournament was its first ever since joining the league. Its 11 regular season Sun Belt Conference wins are the most in school history. Sophomore forward Chenise Miller leads the team in scoring at 10.8 points per game.

Dugan, who was been coaching with the death of her mother on Feb. 4 on her mind, has led the Owls to its only two playoff appearances in school history. The only other time the Owls made the postseason was for an NCAA tournament bid in 2005-2006.

The time of the game is yet to be determined.