UC Merced women get NAIA Tournament rematch with Morningside of Iowa

A year ago, everything was new for the UC Merced women’s basketball team.

The Bobcats headed to Sioux City, Iowa, for the NAIA Division II tournament fresh off the first California Pacific Conference title for any team in school history. And like babies just coming into the world, everything was shiny and exciting.

From the crowds of 20,000-plus to the size and pace of the game, it was a lot to absorb in a few days.

With eight returners this season, Cal Pac MVP Courtney Danna said after Tuesday night’s Cal Pac tournament win she hoped there would be a little more familiarity this time.

UC Merced’s NAIA opponent will be familiar. For the second consecutive season, the Bobcats drew top-seeded Morningside (Iowa) in the first round. The Mustangs (31-2) won last year’s meeting 79-45 and went on to win the national championship. Morningside returns nine players from that team, including its starters.

It’s a tough – but unsurprising – draw for the Bobcats (11-14), with no other team in the tournament with fewer than 17 wins. UC Merced is seeded eighth in the Naismith. The game is March 9 at 3:15 p.m.

This story was originally published March 2, 2016 at 6:37 PM with the headline "UC Merced women get NAIA Tournament rematch with Morningside of Iowa."