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GLENVILLE, W.Va. – For the first time since 1996, the Kutztown University women's basketball team will step out onto the court in an NCAA Tournament competition. KU takes on Charleston (W.Va) at noon, in a first round game tomorrow, Friday, March 11, at host Glenville State University's Waco Center.
 
The Golden Bears (26-5 overall) earned an at-large berth and the No. 3 seed in the Atlantic Region bracket thanks to a school-record 26 wins (26-6 overall record) and strong 24-3 in-region record. They are looking for the program's first ever NCAA Tournament victory with the lone NCAA game, a 63-52 defeat to Pitt-Johnstown in the First Round almost 26 years ago to the day.
 
"We're very excited to be playing in the NCAA Tournament," said head coach Janet Malouf. "We fell a little short of our goal in the PSAC playoffs, but we're happy that we're still able to play. That's the big thing. We're still competing for something. We've had a great year, probably the best year in program history. I'm very happy for this group. It's a great accomplishment, but we want to accomplish more than just getting there. We want to keep this spectacular season going because it's been so much fun. If we play to our game we can beat anyone in the country."
 
Tickets are $7 for adults and $5 for Children/Students/Seniors. Other information, including live stats and video, directions and the tournament bracket can be found at the link above, labeled "Tournament Central."
 
Eight eight-team regionals will be played at on-campus sites March 11, 12 and 14. The eight regional champions advance to the Women's Elite Eight and will be seeded by the Women's Basketball Committee after completion of the regionals. The 2022 NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight will be held at the Birmingham CrossPlex in Birmingham, Ala., March 21, 23 and 25. Miles College and the City of Birmingham will serve as hosts.
 
Other First Round matchups at the Waco Center include No. 2 California (Pa.) vs. No. 7 IUP at 2:30 p.m., No. 1 Glenville State vs. No. 8 Lincoln at 5 p.m., and No. 4 Gannon vs. No. 5 Shepherd at 7:30 p.m.
 
This will be just the second matchup all-time between the Golden Bears and Golden Eagles. Kutztown won the only other meeting, 75-63, back on Nov. 12, 2016, in a neutral site game in Institute, W.Va.
 
Kutztown finished the regular season winners of six straight to earn the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference East Division crown for the second time in the last three seasons. KU defeated Lock Haven, 62-49, in the quarterfinal round before falling to eventual champion, Gannon, 55-47, in the semifinals. KU ranks second in the PSAC, allowing just 53.3 points per game and leads the NCAA in blocks with 193.
 
Rylee Derr (Lititz, Pa./Warwick) became KU's all-time leading scorer this season, eclipsing the 1,623-point mark in a Jan. 15, victory over Mercyhurst. She has 1,806 points currently and also holds program records for 3-Pointers in a Game (9) and a Season (89). Derr was named First Team All-PSAC East for the third straight season (Second Team in 2018), starting in all 32 games this season. She ranks inside the top-20 in the PSAC in points per game (13.3) and rebounds per game (6.6). Her 76 three-pointers and 39.4% shooting percentage leads the PSAC. Derr also has 44 steals, one shy from a career-high, and is playing 32.1 minutes per game, second-most on KU.
 
Casey Remolde (Philadelphia, Pa./Saint Basil Academy) is arguably the best defender in the PSAC and one of the best in Division II. She earned Second Team All-PSAC honors for the second straight season and leads the PSAC and is tied for fifth in the NCAA with 81 blocks, a program record for blocks in a season. She started in all 32 games this season. Remolde ranks sixth in the PSAC with 250 rebounds and is tied for 11th with 53 steals. She plays 33.1 minutes per game, 15th-most in the PSAC. Remolde has also helped carry the load offensively for KU during its two postseason games thus far, averaging 26.5 ppg, including a postseason, program-record 38 points in the PSAC quarterfinal round. She is shooting 83.8% from the free-throw line, which ranks sixth in the conference.
 
Abbey Hearn (Lewes, Del./Cape Henlopen) has had a breakout first collegiate season, recently being named the 2021-22 PSAC East Rookie of the Year. She has played in all 32 games this season, starting the last 19. Hearn is third on the team in ppg (9.8) and rpg (4.7), while adding 40 assists, 13 steals and 44 blocks, the latter is second-best on KU, averaging 23.4 minutes per game. While being one of the tallest players on the court, Hearn is also one of the best shooters as well. She is shooting 43.0% (119-for-277) from the floor, 35.8% (29-of-81) from three, and 91.8% (45-for-49) from the free-throw line. Her 3-point % ranks fourth in the PSAC and her FT % leads the conference.
 
Naia Pulliam (Wilmington, Del./St. Elizabeth) has hit the ground running as a college freshman this season. She has played in 31-of-32 games, starting two. Pulliam is fourth on KU, averaging 8.3 ppg and 3.3 rpg, while adding 28 assists, 14 steals and 14 blocks. She leads KU, shooting 51.5% (105-for-204) from the floor and is also shooting 32.1% from three (18-of-56).
 
Zara Zerman (Jonestown, Pa./Northern Lebanon) is also in her first collegiate season of action. She has started all 32 games at point guard and ranks inside the top-10 in the PSAC with 98 assists. Her 1.3 assist-to-turnover ration is tied for sixth. Zerman averages 26.4 minutes per game.
 
Alexis Smith (Dauphin, Pa./Central Dauphin) has started in all 28 games she played this season, averaging 24.9 minutes per game. She is another Golden Bear that shoots better than 30% from outside, as Smith shoots 30.5% (36-of-118) from long range. She also has 73 rebounds, 41 assists, 39 steals and 11 blocks on the year.
 
Annie Whalen (Ivyland, Pa./Archbishop Wood) has played in 30 games, making two starts and averages 18.5 minutes per game. Whalen is a 31.4% 3-point shooter (22-of-70) and has 74 rebounds, 29 assists, 17 steals and seven blocks.
 
Malouf is having arguably her best season at the helm this year. The all-time winningest coach in program history, Malouf has led KU to a 26-6 overall record and 18-3 mark in the PSAC, program records for both overall wins and PSAC wins. She earned the PSAC East Coach of the Year award this season and also won her 400th career game back on Jan. 5. Malouf also led KU back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 1996 and won their third PSAC East title in program history, advancing to the PSAC final four.
 
Charleston is 21-8 overall and has won four in-a-row, including an 80-77 victory over then-No. 1 Glenville State to win the Mountain East Conference championship. The Golden Eagles average 75.5 ppg and give up 66.3 on the defensive end of the floor.
 
The winner of Kutztown-Charleston will face the winner of Cal-IUP on Saturday at 5 p.m.