WUSTL (21-5) advanced to the second round for the 15th time as an NCAA Division III member with a 70-61 victory over Spalding University Saturday at home. The Bears are making their 17th NCAA appearance as an NCAA Division III school and 20th overall, and sport a 31-14 (.689) all-time postseason record in Division III play. WUSTL has made three Final Four appearances in school history, and captured back-to-back national championships in 2008 and 2009.
Illinois Wesleyan (22-5) posted an 80-71 win over Transylvania University in the NCAA first round Saturday in Bloomington, Ill. The Titans are making their fourth-straight and 22nd overall NCAA Tournament appearance and have a 48-21 (.696) record in tournament play. Illinois Wesleyan has made five Final Four appearances in school history – a national championship in 1997, third-place finishes in 1996, 2001 and 2006, and a semifinal appearance in 2012.
WUSTL and Illinois Wesleyan met once in the 2012-13 season – with WUSTL winning 67-57 Dec. 1 in the championship game of the 29th Annual Lopata Classic. The two teams have met four previous times in the NCAA Tournament — 1995, 1996, 2003 and 2010 – with Illinois Wesleyan winning all four matchups. The Titans also have won both meetings at the Field House in the NCAA Tournament – 85-73 in the NCAA Second Round in 2003 and 75-70 in the NCAA Second Round in 2010.
The box office will open at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, March 9. Ticket prices are $3 for students with an ID and $6 for adults. WUSTL undergraduate students with an ID will be admitted free courtesy of the Student Union. Tickets will not be sold prior to the box office opening.