Lindenwood Draws St. Catharine College For Round 1 of NAIA Tourney

KANSAS CITY - Lindenwood University will face St. Catharine College in the opening round of the NAIA Division I Men's Basketball Tournament on Wednesday, March 16 at 4:30 p.m. at Municipal Auditorium in downtown Kansas City.   

The draw for the 32-team tournament was held Wednesday night in Kansas City.   

The Lions, 28-5, will be making their first appearance in the Division I tournament and third national tournament appearance overall. They advanced to the NAIA Division II Tournament in 2000 and 2006.   

Lindenwood, which has set a school record for most wins in a season, is ranked 20th in the final national regular-season poll. The Lions also set a school record by winning 16 successive games during the recently completed regular campaign.    St. Catharine, located in Springfield, Kentucky, is 22-8 and ranked 14th nationally.   

The winner of the March 16 game will advance to second-round play March 17 at 4:30.   

Lindenwood is one of five teams from the state of Missouri to reach the Final 32. That marks the first time since 1939 that the state has had five teams advance. Park University, Columbia College, Evangel University and William Jewell College will also compete. 

See the official bracket at the NAIA site here.