SPOKANE, Wash. – Whitworth University has received a first round bye in the NCAA Division III tournament and will host the winner of a Thursday night game between Pomona-Pitzer Colleges and Occidental College on Saturday at 7:00 p.m.

Click here for the complete bracket (PDF).

"We are honored to be back in the NCAA Division III basketball tournament," said Whitworth head coach Jim Hayford, the 2008 Northwest Conference Coach of the Year. "The word "surprised" does not do justice to how we feel about receiving a first round bye, and the word "thrilled" does not do justice to how we feel about hosting a second round game."

Ryan Symes

Whitworth (20-6) won the Northwest Conference regular season and tournament championships and the Pirates are making their second consecutive NCAA Division III tournament appearance (third overall). Whitworth will be hosting an NCAA Division III men's basketball playoff game for the first time in school history. Whitworth is led by NWC Player of the Year Ryan Symes (Sr., F, Palo Alto, Calif.) and First Team All-NWC selection Colin Willemsen (Sr., F, Moraga, Calif.).

Pomona-Pitzer (15-12) earned an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletics Conference tournament, upsetting California Lutheran University 54-44 in the opening round and defeating Claremont-Mudd-Scripps Colleges 55-53 in the championship. The Sagehens, who finished third in the SCIAC regular season standings, are led by First Team All-SCIAC forward Jabarri Reynolds, First Team All-SCIAC post Justin Sexton and are coached by Charles Katsiaficas .

Occidental (21-5) was the SCIAC regular season champion with a record of 11-3, but the Tigers were upset 66-62 by Claremont-Mudd-Scripps in the opening round of the conference tournament. A recipient of one of 17 Pool C (at large) bids, Occidental is led by SCIAC Player of the Year Connor Whitman, a senior guard, and Second Team All-SCIAC guard Huston Conti. The Tigers are coached by Brian Newhall.

"We have tremendous respect for both programs," said Hayford. "I am sure whichever team we play on Saturday will present a great challenge. I've known both coaches for almost 20 years and have great respect for both of these friends."

General admission tickets will be $6 for adults and $3 for students, children and seniors. A limited number of reserved seats will be available on Wednesday by calling 777-3224.