Fifth-ranked Flying Queens are part of elite 10-team classic field in Tennessee

The Wayland Baptist Flying Queens continue their challenging early-season schedule this weekend when they be one of 10 nationally-ranked teams participating in the NAIA Women's Basketball Invitational in Jackson, Tenn.
 
The fifth-ranked Flying Queens (4-2), looking to bounce back from a 70-46 loss to third-ranked, defending national runner-up Oklahoma City University, will take on a pair of ranked teams from Tennessee, starting with No. 16 Bethel at 6 p.m. Friday. Wayland then meets top-ranked Freed-Hardeman at 6 p.m. Saturday.
 
Bethel enters the tournament with a 6-2 record, with losses to No. 2 Campbellsville, Ky., 54-41, and No. 24 Loyola, La., 61-49.
 
Freed-Hardeman, a national semifinalist last season, enters the tournament with a 4-1 record, having lost on the road to Bethel on Nov. 14, 52-50.
 
Besides Wayland, Freed-Hardeman and Bethel, other teams competing in the two-day classic are No. 2 Campbellsville, Ky., No. 8 Westmont, Calif., No. 9 Columbia, Mo., No. 10 Vanguard, No. 11 Shawnee State, Ohio, No. 13 Talladega, Ala., and No. 14 MidAmerica Nazarene, Kan.
 
"This will be without a doubt the strongest Classic in the country as all of these teams are nationally ranked. This group includes past NAIA Women's Championship teams – Freed-Hardeman (2017) MidAmerica Nazarene (2016) and Vanguard University (2008)," Media Coordinator Dave McCulley said.
 
The two-day, 10-game tournament, hosted by the Southwest Tennessee Tourism Association, will take place in Oman Arena, former home of the NAIA Women's National Championships.
 
"We are excited to keep the relationship and tradition of NAIA basketball and Jackson going strong," Bethel Coach Chris Nelson said. "A lot has changed over the years but the game and many people remain the same. This is a national tournament-type setting and it is great atmosphere for our student-athletes and schools. We are always thankful for the people that volunteer time and expenses that continue this storied tradition."

Single-day tickets can be purchased for $9.95 each day at:
Friday
Saturday
 
Also, a weekend ticket can be purchased for $15.95 at:
Weekend

NAIA Women's Basketball Invitational
Friday, November 29
Noon – (2) Campbellsville v. (14) MidAmerica Nazarene
2 pm – (8) Westmont v. (11) Shawnee State
4 pm – (10) Vanguard v. (9) Columbia
6 pm – (16) Bethel v. (5) Wayland Baptist
8 pm –(1) Freed-Hardeman v. (13) Talladega

Saturday, November 30
Noon – (8) Westmont v (2) Campbellsville
2 pm – (14) MidAmerica Nazarene v.(11) Shawnee State
4 pm – (10) Vanguard v. (13) Talladega
6 pm – (1) Freed-Hardeman (5) Wayland Baptist
8 pm – (16) Bethel v. (9) Columbia