SAN MARCOS, Calif. – The Cal State San Marcos women's basketball team will face top-seeded Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) in the First Round of the 2015 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championships, presented by Susan G. Komen® Greater Kansas City on Wednesday, March 18 at Independence Events Center in Independence, Mo. Tip-off is scheduled for 6 p.m. PT , 8 p.m. local time (CT). 
 
The Schedule
Game 32 – NAIA National Championship First Round
Wednesday, March 18, 2015 – 6 p.m. PT (8 p.m. CT)
Cal State San Marcos (16-15) vs. Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) (32-1)
Independence, Mo. – Independence Events Center
Live Video | Live Audio | Live Stats | Tickets | Bracket (PDF)
 
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Tournament Coverage
    •  The first 30 games of the national championship will be video streamed live on www.NAIANetwork.com. Don't miss the live video stream of all of the action from March 18-24. Fans can watch all 30 games by purchasing a national championship pass for 20 dollars by clicking here. 
    •  There will be live stats offered by clicking here and then clicking on the "((W))" icon to the right of each game.
    •  All of the games of the national championship will be streamed live (audio) on www.810Varsity.com. Fans can listen for free. 810Varsity.com is the official online audio broadcast partner of the National Championship. 

Tournament Information
The Division I Women's Basketball National Championship is a 32-team, single elimination tournament. The First Round takes place with all 32 teams playing on either Wednesday or Thursday.  The 16-team Second Round will take place Friday with the winners advancing to the national championship quarterfinals on Saturday.  Sunday is a day off. The national semifinals are on Monday, with the national championship game taking place next Tuesday, March 24.
 
A.I.I. Tournament
The Cougars defended their A.I.I. conference championship title with a 74-71 victory over top-seeded Morris College (S.C.) in the championship game. After a 71-57 quarterfinal victory over Allen University (S.C.), CSUSM collected a 75-65 win against host West Virginia Tech in the semifinals. Heather Thompson was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player and joined Cassie Damyanovich and Mackenzie Harnett on the All-Tournament team.
 
Freed-Hardeman Preview
All-time vs. FHU: 0-0
Postseason History: FHU is making its 19th consecutive appearance in the national tournament. The Lions were the 2014 NAIA National Championship runner-up after falling to Oklahoma City, 80-76, in the championship game.
FHU Breakdown: FHU carries a 32-1 record into the tournament after winning the American Midwest Conference with a 72-62 victory over Lyon (Ark.) in the championship game. The Lions only loss was a forfeit on Nov. 4 at Martin Methodist. With nine players ranging from 5-foot-10-inches to 6-foot-3-inches, FHU leads the nation with 18.8 offensive boards per game.  
 
The Lions
For the second consecutive season, the Cougars will face a team with the nickname Lions in the First Round of the national championships. Last season, CSUSM dropped a 97-47 decision to the Lions of Vanguard University.   
 
Where the Cougars Rank in Nation
CSUSM is featured in six top 25 categories in the latest NAIA statistical rankings:

• No. 2 in total blocks (128)
• No. 3 in blocks per game (4.1)
• No. 6 in total rebound defense (32.6)
• No. 8 in 3-point field goal percentage (35.2)
• No. 17 in field goal percentage (42.9)
• No. 20 in rebound margin (6.3)

Seniors Heather Thompson and Cassie Damyanovich both appear in the NAIA individual top 25 rankings:

Heather Thompson
• No. 2 in defensive rebounds per game (7.5)
• No. 5 in blocks (66)
• No. 8 in blocks per game (2.1)
• No. 10 in rebounds (291)
• No. 20 rebounds per game (9.4)

Cassie Damyanovich
• No. 7 in 3-point field goal percentage (42.6)
• No. 9 in 3-point field goals made (87)
• No. 13 in 3-point field goals made per game (2.8)

Who We Are
CSUSM is an NAIA Division I institution which competes in the Association of Independent Institutions (A.I.I.) Conference. CSUSM was accepted into NCAA Division II Candidacy Year One and the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) during the summer and is currently going through a three-year transition phase in order to gain full NCAA DII status for the 2017-18 season. The 2014-15 season will be the school's final year in the NAIA.
 
CSUSM Athletics Social Media
The Cougars are now more "social" than ever… Navigate to the CSUSM Athletics Social Media Directory to connect with your favorite teams, coaches and administrators. Keep track of the CSUSM women's basketball team on Facebook and Twitter.