FLORENCE, S.C. --- It has been a season of firsts for the Tusculum Women's basketball team and the Pioneers can add another to the list... First NCAA Division II Tournament appearance. Tusculum has earned an at-large bid to the NCAA postseason and will be the No. 2 seed in this weekend's South Atlantic Regional, hosted by Francis Marion University.

The Pioneers (26-4) open regional play against No. 7 seed Lander University on Friday night at 8 p.m. from the Smith University Center. Lander punched its ticket for the "Big Dance" by winning the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.

Third-year head coach Missy Tiber has orchestrated Tusculum's historic turnaround with a high-octane offensive attack, solid three-point shooting and tough defense.

Tiber inherited a program that went 8-21 a year before her arrival and since then, Tusculum has recorded three-straight winning campaigns, while capturing this year's South Atlantic Conference Championship. For her efforts, Tiber was named WBCA Region Coach of the Year.

Tusculum has won 11 of its last 12 games and 23 of its last 25 contests. The Pioneers advanced to the Food Lion SAC Tournament final for the second time in three years, before falling 76-74 Wingate (No. 1 seed in this year's NCAA South Atlantic Regional).

Junior guard Ashli Oliver leads the Pioneer offense averaging 13.8 points per game (7th in SAC), while posting a SAC-best 96 three-pointers (3.2 per game - 8th in NCAA II). Oliver leads five Pioneers who are averaging double-digit scoring this year.

Oliver (Kokomo, Ind.) holds the all-time Tusculum and SAC record with 283 career three-point field goals, which are 16th all-time in NCAA II history. She poured in 22 points, including six 3-pointers in Sunday's SAC Tournament final against Wingate. For her efforts, she was named to the SAC All-Tournament Team.

The two-time All-Conference honoree has also shined from the charity stripe of late, making 34 of her last 36 free throws (94.4%), including 14 in a row entering the NCAA Tournament.

SAC Freshman of the Year Jasmine Gunn is second in scoring for the Pioneers averaging 13.4 points per game (9th in SAC). The All-SAC First Team selection is second in the SAC in assists averaging 5.93 per game (16th in NCAA II). The Nashville, Tenn. rookie has scored in double figures in nine of her last 10 games averaging 15.5 points per game during that span. In last Saturday's SAC Tournament semifinal against Newberry, Gunn poured in 28 points, while also recording seven rebounds, seven assists and a season-best eight steals. For her efforts, she was also named to the SAC All-Tournament squad.

Junior guard Shante Shank (Charlotte, N.C.) is third on the team in scoring (12.6 ppg - 11th in SAC) and is the team-leader in steals (2.54 spg - 3rd in SAC). Shank has recorded a steal in her last 21 outings. She has especially shined from the free throw line of late. Shank is shooting 77 percent this season (12th in SAC), including 51-for-60 (85 %) in her last 14 games.
Sophomore forward Stephany Neptune is the league's top rebounder, averaging 11.2 boards per contest (8th in NCAA II), including her 20-board effort Lincoln Memorial in the opening round of the SAC Tournament. Her 20 rebounds were one shy of tying a SAC Tournament record.

Neptune (Wallkill, N.Y.) tied a school single-game record with 23 rebounds against Wingate last month in Greeneville. She leads the SAC with 16 double-doubles and has posted double-digit boards on 20 occasions. In her last eight games alone, she is averaging 14.4 rebounds per contest. Neptune is fourth on the squad averaging 11 points per game (19th in SAC).

She was named to the All-SAC First Team and is one of the 40 national finalists for