For many years Washington U. was the standard for Division III women’s basketball excellence.

The Bears rolled off four consecutive national titles from 1998 to 2001. Then they started a new, less enjoyable trend in 2002:

2002: Lose to UW-Stevens Point in the tournament. UW-Stevens Point wins the title.
2003: Lose to Trinity (Texas) in the tournament. Trinity (Texas) wins the title.
2005: Lost to Millikin in the tournament. Millikin wins the title.

Tonight the Bears can be pioneers of excellence again. With a win at No. 12 Brandeis, Wash U. will clinch the UAA title and be the first team to wrap up a bid to the NCAA tournament. You can hear the game on WBRS at 6 PM.

Not that the Judges and Caitlin Malcolm (pictured) will just roll over. They have plenty to play for as they chase Wash U. in conference and Southern Maine and Bowdoin in region.

Elsewhere the LMC women’s tournament resumes play, weather permitting. And lots of other teams gear up for a final push just to make their conference tournament.