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NCAA trip, dominating on the glass, to the tune of a 29-board advantage, and holding the Lancers to only 45 points in that nine-point win March 10. The victory propelled Liberty to a 27-6 overall record, including 16-2 in the conference's regular season. The Flames are led by guard/forward Devon Brown's 16.3 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. Forward Tolu Omotola averages 13.3 points and 7.6 rebounds per game. Liberty, which starts a front line that stands 6-foot-3, 6-2, and 6-0, is well-balanced, with 10 players who average at least 11.3 minutes per game. Although one, former starter Emily Frazier, is out after tearing an ACL in mid-February. Seven Flames average at least five points and four average a minimum of 6.1 Liberty rebounds per game. Tolu Omotola, a 6-3 senior, leads Liberty with 7.6 On average, Liberty outrebounds per game. The Flames dominate on the rebounds its opponents by 17.5. boards, holding a 17.5 advantage per game. While Liberty is uncommon automatic entry. "But it's always to Purdue — the two programs nerve-wracking, too, and having have never before met — Coach to wait and see. But it's always fun Sharon Versyp has faced the to see where you're at." Flames previously when she was The Flames are no stranger an assistant coach at James Madito the NCAA Tournament, having son from 1996-99. won 15 of the last 17 Big South "Their teams are always very titles. They beat Longwood Sun- hard-working, very good shootday to earn their second straight ers," Versyp said. louisville PROBABLE STARTERS No. 23 00 4 21 3 No. 21 24 13 5 52 Name Shoni Schimmel Sara Hammond Antonita Slaughter Bria Smith Sheronne Vails Pos. G F G G C Ht. Class.PPG RPG 5-9 Jr. 13.8 3.1 6-2 So. 10.7 6.6 6-1 Jr. 9.8 4.9 5-10 So. 9.2 3.8 6-4 Jr. 3.9 2.8 middle tennessee PROBABLE STARTERS Name Ebony Rowe Kortni Jones Icelyn Elie Shanice Cason Laken Leonard bid from the Sun Belt Conference. Liberty The Blue Raiders Fifth-year senior Devon Brown leads the Flames with an average of (25-7) are led by 16.3 points per game. She's also one of four players on the team to Ebony Roe, who average at least 6.0 rebounds per game — she's at 6.1. is averaging 19.9 If Purdue gets past Liberty, it's points and 11.1 relikely to face Louisville, provided bounds in 39.2 minutes. the Cardinals don't get upset in Although the road to OklaRound 1, on their home floor. homa City, the site of the regional The Cardinals, an at-large where No. 1 seed Baylor would bid from the Big East, are 24-8 potentially await in the Sweet this season, including 14-2 in the 16, appears difficult, the seeding Yum! Center. Junior guard Shoni couldn't have been much better Schimmel leads Louisville, aver- for the Boilers. aging 13.8 points per game. Only a couple weeks ago, Middle Tennessee, making its Purdue was projected on the 8/9 fifth-straight tourney appearance, line, thanks to losing five of sevis Louisville's first-round oppo- en games in February. But a late nent after earning the automatic surge, including three straight Pos. F G F G G Ht. Class.PPG RPG 6-1 Jr. 19.9 11.1 5-9 Sr. 16.4 3.0 6-1 Sr. 13.9 7.3 5-6 So. 4.4 4.0 5-10 Jr. 4.3 4.0 wins to take the Big Ten tournament title, pumped up the Boilermakers' résumé. "I think this year (the NCAA Selection Committee) made a big deal of the conference tournaments, where maybe they haven't done so in the past," Versyp said. "We're excited about being a fourth seed. It was justice with our overall schedule, then playing well at the end. We appreciate that. "Winning five of our last six and playing well in the tournament, they actually (looked at) the tournament. "It can either help you or hurt you, and it did a lot (to help) this year." j GoldanDBlack express • volume 23, express 26 • 18