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WALLA WALLA, Wash. - The Whitman men's and women's basketball teams gave the Sherwood Center much to cheer about on Thursday, both beating the University of Puget Sound in the semifinals of the Northwest Conference Tournament. Both now seek a tourney title when they take the court Saturday night in their respective NWC championship games. The second-seeded women's team travels to top-seed George Fox for a 5:00 p.m. tip while the top-seeded Blues men will host rival and No. 2 seed Whitworth at the Sherwood Center at 7:00 p.m.

The women's team (20-6) split their two meetings with the Bruins this season, but more notably, handled Fox 73-54 in Newberg in the first of the two meetings. Maegen Martin and Makana Stone both had double doubles with Mady Burdett adding 13 points and six dimes. The Blues unsuccessfully defended their NWC Tournament title last season in a semifinal loss to Willamette and now look to bring that title back to Whitman.

The second-ranked Blues (25-1) men ran the NWC regular season table for the third straight season and showed no signs of letting up when they dominated Puget Sound on Thursday in their NWC Tournament semifinal. Despite dominating the league in recent years, Whitman is 3-3 in its past three conference tournaments, winning just once during that span. Heading into the battle of the Whits on Saturday, there is no doubt the sting of last season's buzzer-beater loss to the 19th-ranked Bucs in the 2018 tourney championship is still fresh on the minds of many of the players and coaches. Head to head this season, the Blues earned a hard-fought two-point win at Whitworth before completing the series sweep with a 12-point drumming in January.

No matter the outcome of both results, both Blues teams will have their eyes on the NCAA Division III Tournament selection shows which take place on Monday, Feb. 25. The men's show airs at 12:30 p.m. ET (10:30 a.m. PT) with the women's at 2:30 p.m. ET (12:30 p.m. PT). Both will be streamed online, links to come.

Game Information (Men)
What: No. 1 Whitman vs. No. 2 Whitworth
When: Saturday, Feb. 23
Where: Sherwood Center (Walla Walla, Wash.)
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Ticket Information: Adults ($10), Seniors ($5), Children 3-17 ($5), Children under 3 years receive free admission. Whitman and UPS students receive admission with student ID. Game tickets may be purchased at the main entrance of Sherwood Athletic Center when the doors open at 5:30 p.m. on gameday. No advanced ticket sales will be offered.

Game Information (Women)
What: No. 1 George Fox vs. No. 2 Whitman
When: Saturday, Feb. 23
Where: Wheeler Sports Center (Newberg, Ore.)
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Ticket Information: Adults ($6), Seniors ($3), Children ($3). FREE for students from participating institutions (with valid ID).