Warriors Launch into March Madness

Both the men’s and women’s basketball teams open play in the 2017 NAIA Division I National Championship on March 16.

In the first round, No. 19 Westmont men (24-7, 11-5 GSAC) compete against William Carey (Miss.) at 8:45 a.m. in Kansas City. This is the first time in program history that Westmont has qualified for national championship play three years in a row. Two year ago, Westmont reached the championship game before falling to Dalton State (Ga.) in the title game.

“This is by far the most experienced team we have had go to the national championship,” said Westmont head coach John Moore. “We have the benefit of going three years running. I think our best basketball has been played at the tournament the last three years.”

The No. 7 Westmont women (27-4, 13-3 GSAC) battle LSU Shreveport in the opening round at 1:15 p.m. in Billings, Montana. The Warriors, coming off their second consecutive Golden State Athletic Conference Tournament Championship, are led by Aysia Shellmire who is the Warriors all-time career scoring leader and rebounder.

“We are really excited for the opportunity we have ahead of us,” said Kirsten Moore, Westmont women’s basketball head coach “I think that one of the main things that our experience brings is an understanding that every team in this tournament can win on any given night and that every single game is going to be a battle.”