“OVC Championship Week” in Evansville

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“OVC Championship Week” in Evansville

March 1, 2022                             

Evansville, Ind. – Yesterday, Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke joined Ohio Valley Conference (OVC) Commissioner Beth DeBauche and the OVC host committee, led by Deputy Mayor Steve Schaefer and Old National Bank’s Jim Sandgren, to officially kick-off “OVC Championship Week” in Southwestern Indiana, as the Men’s and Women’s OVC Basketball Championships that yesterday Wednesday, March 2 and will conclude Saturday, March 5 at Evansville’s Ford Center.

March Madness begins in Evansville as 16 teams will battle to be the first to claim their spot in the NCAA Division I tournament. After concluding conference play on Saturday, Murray State and Belmont claimed the top two seeds on the men’s side, and Belmont and Tennessee Tech finished one and two in the women’s race. Only the top 8 teams from each gender make the tournament; see page 2 for seeding details.

Mayor Winnecke announced that downtown Evansville businesses and restaurants will welcome local and out-of-town basketball fans before and in between the women’s and men’s championship games, which are scheduled for 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. The Boom Squad will perform at the Ford Center plaza before the men’s championship game as well.

“Once again, our local community members, including hotels and businesses, have elevated their level of hospitality in welcoming the OVC staff, teams, and fans to our city,” said Mayor Winnecke. “The Ford Center has been the perfect venue to showcase this Division I athletes. I’m hopeful basketball fans throughout the Tri-State take advantage of the ticket discounts and downtown activities to watch these teams compete.”

“The City of Evansville has embraced this tournament, and the OVC membership is grateful for the warm welcome and wonderful hospitality,” said DeBauche. “Championship Saturday was a great success in years prior to the Covid outbreak and engaged local and traveling fans alike. I hope even more spectators join us this year for what’s sure to be an exciting, highly competitive tournament.”

Ticket Information

Several single-game promotions listed below are available directly through the Ford Center Box Office. Single-session and all-session passes can be purchased at the box office or at www.ticketmaster.com. 

Wednesday, March 2 

  • Women’s Session (1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.) – Evansville Courier & Press Day ($5 tickets for everyone)
  • Men’s Session (6:30 p.m. & 9:00 p.m.) – Evansville Courier & Press Night ($10 tickets for everyone)

Thursday, March 3

  • Women’s Session (1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.) – Senior Day (Senior citizens 65 and older receive a $5 ticket)

– more –

Friday, March 4 

  • Women’s Session (1 p.m. & 3:30 p.m.) – Fast Break Lunch (ticket, hot dog and drink for $10).
  • Men’s Session (7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.) – Shoe Carnival Youth Basketball Night (Children 12 and under who wear a basketball jersey receive free admission with a purchase of a discounted $15 adult ticket)

Saturday, March 5 

  • Women’s Championship (2 p.m.) – German American Bank Family Day (4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs for $40)
  • Men’s Championship (7:30 p.m.) – German American Bank Family Night (4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs for $60)

All other games: Individual game tickets (includes a 2-game session except for Saturday) are only $30 for the men’s games and $15 for women’s games.

OVC Tournament Seedings

Men’s Tournament Women’s Tournament

1. Murray State 1. Belmont 

2. Belmont 2. Tennessee Tech

3. Morehead State 3. Murray State

4. Southeast Missouri 4. Austin Peay

5. Tennessee State 5. Eastern Illinois

6. Austin Peay 6. UT Martin 

7. Tennessee Tech 7. SIUE

8. SIUE 8. Tennessee State

Tournament brackets and game times can be found at www.ovcsports.com/Evansville.

OHIO VALLEY CONFERENCE

  • Men’s Session (7 p.m. & 9:30 p.m.) – Shoe Carnival Youth Basketball Night (Children 12 and under who wear a basketball jersey receive free admission with a purchase of a discounted $15 adult ticket)

Saturday, March 5 

  • Women’s Championship (2 p.m.) – German American Bank Family Day (4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs for $40)
  • Men’s Championship (7:30 p.m.) – German American Bank Family Night (4 tickets, 4 sodas, 4 hot dogs for $60)

All other games: Individual game tickets (includes a 2-game session except for Saturday) are only $30 for the men’s games and $15 for women’s games.

OVC Tournament Seedings

Men’s Tournament Women’s Tournament

1. Murray State 1. Belmont 

2. Belmont 2. Tennessee Tech

3. Morehead State 3. Murray State

4. Southeast Missouri 4. Austin Peay

5. Tennessee State 5. Eastern Illinois

6. Austin Peay 6. UT Martin 

7. Tennessee Tech 7. SIUE

8. SIUE 8. Tennessee State

 

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