RELEASE DATE: 2/23/04

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: MOUNTAINEER WOMEN STILL ALIVE FOR FIRST EVER PSAC PLAYOFF BERTH – MUST WIN FINAL TWO GAMES OF SEASON

MANSFIELD – Although it may be an outside shot, the Mansfield University women’s basketball team still has a shot at earning the school’s first ever Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference playoff berth going into the final week of the regular season.

West Chester (14-11, 9-1), Millersville (17-8, 9-2) and Bloomsburg (13-13, 6-5) have already earned playoff spots with two games remaining the in the regular season. Kutztown (9-15, 5-5) is currently in fourth place – and the final playoff spot. Mansfield is one game behind at 13-15 overall and 4-6 in conference play.

The Mountaineers must travel to sixth place East Stroudsburg (7-18, 3-7) before ending the season at first place West Chester (14-11, 9-1). Kutztown faces West Chester and Millersville to close out its season.

Mansfield must win its final two games while Kutztown must lose its final two games in order for the Mountaineers to earn their first ever playoff berth. It the two teams should end in a tie, Kutztown would advance on the strength of its two wins this season over third place Bloomsburg.

The Mountaineers have already set a new school record for wins in a season with 13 surpassing the school record 12 wins set in 1982-83.

Sophomore Alison Tagliaferri ranks ninth in the PSAC in scoring averaging 14.9 points per game. Senior Jessica Pfeiffer is 18^th in the conference in scoring with a 12.6 points per game average. Tagliaferri is also 14^th in the PSAC in rebounding (7.0 rpg) while senior Rachel Rieder is 12^th averaging 7.8 boards per outing. Rieder also ranks second in blocked shots (35) and Tagliaferri sixth (29).