FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Mansfield earns berth in NCAA National Championship Tournament for first time since 1997

MANSFIELD -- Mansfield earnd a berth in the 2011 NCAA Division II National Championship Tournament with a No. 6 seed in the Atlantic Region.

"I couldn't be happier," said head coach Rich Miller. "It was a long and anxious wait since our game on Tuesday but I'm so pleased for our seniors. It's a great thing for them and for Mansfield."

Mansfield makes the 64-team tournament for the first time since 1997 and will play No. 3 seed Bowie State at No. 1 seed and host West Liberty State (WV) on March 12.

Mansfield and Bowie meet early in the season at Bowie with Bowie coming away with a 82-81 win in overtime.

(More to come Monday)