The Huskies and the Polar Bears head to the NCAA Division III women’s basketball playoffs.
The biggest game of the season between Maine’s leading NCAA Division III women’s basketball programs is being played in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania?
Yes, that’s the situation in which Bowdoin (25-2) and Southern Maine (26-3) will find themselves when they collide in the Sweet 16 of the Division III Tournament at 6 p.m. Friday on the campus of King’s College.
Hundreds of miles away from their fan base, the Polar Bears and Huskies will square off for a spot in the regional final against either King’s or Eastern Connecticut State on Saturday night. The winner of that contest advances to the Final Four next weekend in Terre Haute, Ind.
Both Maine teams earned the right to host a second-round game after an opening-round bye. Bowdoin bounced Emmanuel, 73-50, while Southern Maine stomped Salem State, 72-54.
“It’s disappointing not to be able to give this game to the state of Maine,” said Bowdoin coach Stefanie Pemper. “It does seem weird to travel to King’s to play. That being said, we’re obviously excited about the game. It doesn’t diminish our enthusiasm at all.”
Bowdoin, which makes its third straight appearance in the Sweet 16, reached the Elite Eight last season before fall-
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