July 8, 2004

COLLEGE PARK, Md. - The University of Maryland was selected as one of eight predetermined sites for the first and second rounds of the 2005 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament, the NCAA Women's Basketball Committee announced Thursday. The eight predetermined sites represents a format change from the 16 first- and second-round sites in previous years.

"We are delighted that the NCAA has selected Comcast Center as a first- and second-round site for the 2005 NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament," said Maryland Athletics Director Deborah A. Yow. "Our goal is to create a dynamic, competitive environment for all the teams assigned to our site through excellent fan attendance."

The University of Maryland hosts an NCAA Tournament contest, men's or women's, for the first time ever at the two-year old Comcast Center, which seats 17,950 fans. It is also the first women's basketball tournament game in College Park since the Terps hosted the first round in 1993. The action takes place Sunday, March 20 and Tuesday, March 22, 2005.

"We are ecstatic to host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Tournament in what is one of the finest facilities in the country," said Terrapin head coach Brenda Frese of the selection. "We have a tremendous fan base and with their support, this will be a successful event."

Last year, the Terps went 18-13 and tied for third in the ACC, going 8-8 in the conference. Maryland won its first NCAA Tournament game in 12 years when it upset fifth-seeded Miami (Fla.), 86-85, in the first round at the Pete Maravich Assembly Center in Baton Rouge, La. In their final home game of the season, the Terps drew a Comcast Center record 13,446 fans vs. fourth-ranked Duke, the second-largest crowd in ACC women's basketball history.

Other first- and second-round sites are Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, Save Mart Center in Fresno, Calif., Williams Arena in Minneapolis, Bank of America Arena in Seattle, Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C., Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tenn., and Harry A. Gampel Pavilion in Storrs, Conn.

Ticket information for the NCAA Tournament will be released at a later date.

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