MCKENZIE, Tenn. (03.10.10) - The #17 Bethel Lady Wildcats will make their 2^nd consecutive appearance in the NAIA D-I National Tournament. Bethel is set to play the #11 Lady Cougars of Columbia College (Mo.) on Thursday, March 18, 2010 at 12:30pm in the Oman Area, Jackson, Tenn. Bethel secured the #8 at-large bid, Columbia was the #6 at-large bid.

Bethel and Columbia shared several opponents during the 2009-10 campaign. Bethel played Union University twice losing both contests; Columbia played Union once losing 96-69. Bethel faced Freed-Hardeman University three times going 1-2; Columbia faced the Lady Lions once winning 85-60. Against Lyon College Bethel was 1-1; Columbia was 2-0. Another common opponent was McKendree University, Bethel went 0-2 while Columbia split 1-1. The final team that Bethel and Columbia both played was Harris-Stowe State University. Bethel won their only contest with HSSU; Columbia took both meetings with HSSU.

Columbia is a team made up of four NCAA D-I, one D-II and two junior college transfers with four high school players mixed in. Statistically, the Lady Cougars are very balanced with no one player ranking nationally in the top 50. Columbia does have four players averaging double figures in points per game. Their leading scorer is Rachel Oswald, the American Midwest Conference Player of the Year with 15.2/ppg. Oswald is followed by her teammates Veronica Smith with 13.6/ppg, Whitney Widaman 12.3/ppg and Denise Rosario 11.9/ppg.

The Lady Cougars as a team are #1 in the nation in blocks per game, #6 in total scoring offense, #6 in total offensive rebounds, #9 in defensive rebounds per game, #9 in free throw percentage and #14 in field goal percentage.

Bethel counters with the #10 scoring offense in the nation, #6 in free throw percentage and #31 in total 3-point field goals made. Individually, Nina Djokovic who averaged a double-double (20.0/10.0) for the year, is #6 in the nation in points per game, #6 in total scoring, #8 offensive rebounds per game, #10 total rebounds, #19 in defensive rebounds per game and #30 in field goal percentage. Kelsey Hamilton is #23 in 3-point field goal percentage. Kashundria Berry is #31 in total assists and #32 in assists per game.

The Lady Wildcats are also balanced with Djokovic leading the team with 20/ppg. Berry averages 10.3/ppg, Teena Carter gets 9.7/ppg, Tristain Johnson has 8.9/ppg and Anna Trull posts 7.9/ppg.