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News Brief

March 25, 2024ST. JOSEPH, Mo.

St. Joe embraces opportunity to host Elite Eight

The NCAA D2 Women's Basketball Elite Eight got underway Monday afternoon.

The NCAA D2 Women's Basketball Elite Eight got underway Monday afternoon. (Photo courtesy Clifton Grooms)

 

The NCAA Division 2 Women's Basketball Elite Eight returned to St. Joseph with the national quarterfinal round games beginning Monday afternoon.

This marks the second consecutive March that the Civic Arena has been the site for the Elite Eight, hosted by the St. Joseph Sports Commission. The event plays a major role for the city economically, filling hotels and giving restaurants a bump. St. Joseph parks director Chuck Kempf believes it is also important for the community's perspective of itself.

"It brings people to your town, it brings money to your town, it brings notoriety and recognition to your town," Kempf said. "It also, I think, helps our local citizens understand how important we are. Not just to ourselves and to our local community, but how important we are in the grande scheme of things."

Ferris State University of Grand Rapids, Michigan opened the tournament with a victory over the University of Tampa in the opening game on Monday afternoon. Bulldog head coach Kurt Westendrop spoke highly of the atmosphere at the game and the hospitality the team received since arriving in the Midland Empire.

"The support that the fans gave us (Monday) – you could really tell that this place loves their sports. They love their basketball. We've been feeling really welcomed, and we're looking forward to making this place our home for this week."

Ferris State knocked off Tampa 60-53 to advance to the national semifinal round Wednesday night. Texas Woman's University beat Daeman 76-44 in the second game of the first session to earn a matchup with Ferris State.

The second session Monday started with an 85-80 upset by Cal State San Marcos over top-seeded Gannon. Minnesota State held on for a 93-88 win against Georgia Southwestern in the late game. Cal State San Marcos and Minnesota State will meet in the second semifinal game Wednesday. The national championship will be played Friday at 7pm in St. Joseph.

More information on the teams and tickets is here.