Raiders Look Forward to the Tournament

The Wright State women's basketball team has posted its fifth straight 20-plus win season, played a difficult non-conference schedule and has played in one of the top ten conferences in the nation. This was all done to prepare for the Little Caesars Horizon League Basketball Championship this weekend in Detroit.

The Horizon League may be the most competitive that it's been in years. Four teams finished with at least 20 wins, with a fifth looking for number 20 this week, as the league has been ranked as high as ninth in some polls.

The fun starts Friday night for the lower four teams, then Saturday for the top two seeds to play the winners of those games. The Raiders tip off their action Sunday at Noon against Cleveland State. Semifinals are slated for Monday afternoon with the championship game scheduled for Noon on Tuesday on ESPNU.

Here's a look at how the Horizon League teams fared through their seasons.

1. Green Bay Phoenix

Preseason Poll: 1st
Records: 26-3, 16-2
Won its 20^th straight regular-season title
Won last year's tournament to advance to the NCAA Tournament
Swept the Raiders this year: 58-51 at WSU; 75-68 at GB
Will play the winner of the Northern Kentucky/Detroit Mercy game from Friday at 2:30 pm Saturday
All League Honors: Defensive Player of the Year: Jen Wellnitz, First Team: Jessica Lindstrom, Second Team: Allie LeClaire, Freshman Team: Karly Murphy, Defensive Team: Jessica Lindstrom and Jen Wellnitz

2. IUPUI Jaguars

Preseason Poll: 7th
Records: 21-8, 13-5
First year in Horzon League
Split with the Raiders this year: IUPUI won 64-61 at WSU; WSU won 66-63 at IUPUI
Will play the winner of the Oakland/UIC game from Friday at Noon Saturday
All League Honors: Coach of the Year: Austin Parkinson, Freshman of the Year: Macee Williams, First Team: Danielle Lawrence, Second Team: Macee Williams, Freshman Team: Macce Williams, Defensive Team: Jenna Gunn

3. Wright State Raiders

Preseason Poll: 2nd
Records: 21-9, 12-6
Fifth straight 20-plus win season, seventh of last eight and second straight under head coach Katrina Merriweather
Will play Cleveland State Sunday at Noon
All League Honors: Player of the Year: Chelsea Welch, First Team: Chelsea Welch, Defensive Team: Emily Vogelpohl

4. Milwaukee Panthers

Preseason Poll: 4th
Records: 20-10, 11-7
Split with WSU: WSU won 56-51 at WSU; UWM won 59-53 at UWM
Will play Youngstown State Sunday at 2:30 pm
All League Honors: Second Team: Steph Kostowicz, Jenny Lindner

5. Youngstown State Penguins

Preseason Poll: 8th
Records: 15-14, 11-7
WSU Swept YSU: 73-50 at WSU; 69-59 at YSU
Will play Milwaukee Sunday at 2:30 pm
All League Honors: Second Team: Indiya Benjamin, Freshman Team: Chelsea Olson

6. Cleveland State Vikings

Preseason Poll: 6th
Records: 19-10, 11-7
CSU Swept WSU: 71-70 OT at CSU; 70-63 at WSU
Will play Wright State Sunday at Noon
All League Honors: First Team: Ashanti Abshaw, Khayla Livingston, Defensive Team: Shadae Bosley

7. Oakland Grizzlies

Preseason Poll: 3rd
Records: 14-15, 7-11
WSU swept OU: 77-57 at OU; 80-75 at WSU
Will play UIC Friday at Noon
All League Honors: Sixth Player of the Year: Taylor Jones

8. Northern Kentucky Norse

Preseason Poll: 9th
Records: 8-21, 6-12
WSU swept NKU: 68-63 OT at NKU; 73-60 at WSU
Will play Detroit Mercy Friday at 2:30 pm
All League Honors: Freshman Team: Kailey Coffey

9. Detroit Mercy Titans

Preseason Poll: 5th
Records: 2-27, 2-16
WSU swept UDM: 88-60 at UDM; 85-55 at WSU
Will play Northern Illinois Friday at 2:30 pm
All League Honors: Freshman Team: Lexey Tobel

10. UIC Flames

Preseason Poll: 10th
Records: 8-21, 1-17
WSU swept UIC: 60-50 at WSU; 80-53 at UIC
Will play Oakland Friday at Noon
All League Honors: None

This year's tournament will take place in the new, state-of-the-art Little Caesars Arena, located in the heart of The District Detroit. Fans can purchase tickets in the Wright State fan section by visiting here.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Emily Vogelpohl

Chelsea Welch

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