Texas Lutheran to Face Whitman in the NCAA First Round

Texas Lutheran to Face Whitman in the NCAA First Round

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. -- The Texas Lutheran University Bulldogs will face Whitman College at the Blues' home court in the first round of the 2019 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Championship. NCAA Release

It is the second consecutive year that the SCAC champion has been sent to face Whitman.

Texas Lutheran (18-9) and No. 2 Whitman (25-1) are part of a four-team pod (first and second rounds) to be played at Walla Walla, Wash. In the other first-round matchup, No. 11 Pomona Pitzer (25-2) will meet University of Texas-Dallas (24-4). Friday's winners will play on Saturday, Mar. 2 with a berth to the round of 16 on the line.

Texas Lutheran won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Championship for a the fourth time in five years with a 99-95 double overtime win over the University of Dallas.

Whitman is making its fourth consecutive NCAA appearance. The Blues (25-1) are fresh off both Northwest Conference regular season and tournament titles, topping then-No. 19 Whitworth in the championship game on Saturday night at the Sherwood Center. The Blues finished the league season with a perfect 16-0 record, the third straight year they've accomplished that feat.