SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- Bethune-Cookman's first trip to the NCAA National Tournament starts with an opening round date with defending national champion Notre Dame Saturday at 11 a.m. in Purcell Pavilion at the Joyce Center.

The Lady Wildcats (21-10) downed Norfolk State 57-45 in last week's Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference tournament championship game to earn an automatic berth in "The Big Dance." Bethune-Cookman won the 1984 MEAC championship, but the league did not have an automatic berth at that time.

The winner of Saturday's game will face the winner of Central Michigan and Michigan State on Monday for the right to advance to next week's regional final in Chicago.

Bethune-Cookman did make three trips to the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women (AIAW) from 1980-1982, registering one win against Rust College in 1981.

BCU comes into the tournament winners of 10 its last 12 games, including a MEAC tournament in which the Lady Wildcats held all three opponents under 50 points. The tournament run gave BCU its third consecutive season of 20 victories or more, marking the first time in program the team has accomplished that feat.

#(ANGEL)GOLDEN STATE:  Senior Angel Golden's impressive career just saw her receive the MEAC Tournament Outstanding Performer Award after scoring 70 points in the three BCU victories. Golden has risen to third on the all-time scoring list and second on the all-time three-point field goal list. She's scored 20 points 29 times in her career … and BCU is 28-1 when she does that. Also, Golden's 84 career victories are the most for any Wildcat hoops player, male or female.
 
#WHATCAN(CHAS)BROWNDO? Senior Chasimmie Brown averaged 10.7 rebounds per game at the MEAC tournament, including 16 against Norfolk State in the championship game.

ACC AGAIN? This will be the third consecutive year BCU has faced an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent in the postseason. In the past two WNIT appearances, the Lady Wildcats have met Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.

AND WE STILL WON: Much has been made about the five knee surgeries BCU players went through this year. Among those undergoing the knife: 2018 MEAC Defensive Player Of The Year Ashanti Hunt (lost after two games); Rookie Of The Year candidate Kiana Williams (lost in the eighth minute of the conference opener at North Carolina Central) and sixth man Briana Hardee (action in only three games).

STATS AND STUFF: BCU held opponents under 20 percent shooting from three-point range eight times this season … The Lady Wildcats have won the rebounding battle in 12 or the last 16 games.

SCOUTING NOTRE DAME: The Fighting Irish (30-3) won the ACC title with a 99-79 victory over Louisville that extended their winning streak to nine games. Their losses? UConn, at North Carolina and at Miami. Arike Ogunbowale averages 21 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game while forward Jessica Shepard posted 16.5 and 9.9 rebounds and guard Jackie Young 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 5.3 assists. Also, Brianna Turner had 14.3 points, 7.5 rebounds and 2.6 blocks and guard Marina Mabrey 13.9 points and 4.8 assists.

SATURDAY COVERAGE: ESPN2 is broadcasting the game with Courtney Lyle on play-by-play and women's hoops legend Tamika Catchings on color. Follow our official twitter feed @bcuwbb for in-game update and all our social media platforms --  Instagram (@BCUathletics), Snapchat (@BCUathletics) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/BCUathletics) for complete coverage.