Purdue women to play in Louisville

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - Purdue women's basketball team will take on Liberty University in a first-round NCAA Tournament game on Sunday at the KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky.

"All we have ever done is play at home or real far away," said Purdue Head Coach Sharon Versyp. "So, this will be a first to be within driving distance and to have our fans there. Obviously it can't hurt you, it is just going to help you. It will help the excitement. It will be nice to go away though and have a tournament atmosphere."

Tip-off for the NCAA Tourney game between the Boilermakers and the Flames is scheduled for noon Eastern time on Sunday. Purdue is a four seed while Liberty is a 13 seed.

The Boilers earned the Big Ten's automatic bid by winning a second-straight Big Ten Tournament title and a conference best ninth overall, with a 62-47 win against Michigan State on March 10.

"We just came off the Big Ten Tournament and we are on a high," said Purdue freshman guard April Wilson. "We just want to go as far as possible."

This will be the first meeting between Purdue and Liberty, a university located in Lynchburg, Va.

The Boilermakers learned of their first-round destination and opponent while watching Monday's NCAA Tournament Selection Show inside Mackey Arena.

If Purdue advances to the second round, the Boilers will face the winner of the game between Louisville and Middle Tennessee.

Purdue is making its 23rd NCAA Tournament appearance, including its 19th in the last 20 years.