AMHERST, N.Y. — As March Madness kicks into full swing, the Daemen women's basketball team is still dancing.
The Wildcats are making noise in the NCAA Division II Tournament as they're into the Elite Eight for just the second time in program history.
Daemen punched its ticket with a win over Jefferson earlier this week 69-62 in Waltham, Mass. The win secured the Wildcats' second ever regional title and now sends them to St. Joseph, Mo., this weekend, just two games away from playing for a national title.
"We had a tag line this year," said senior guard Alahna Paige, who was named MVP of the East Region. "It was 'locked in,' and we also brought in 'belief.' We just think it's important for each and every one of us to believe in what we do, and what we're playing for, and who we're playing for."
Daemen is 23-7 on the season and led by a group of seniors, including Paige and Panama Central alum Natalie Angeletti, who helped take the Wildcats to their first Elite Eight in 2021.
This group is happy to be writing program history yet again.
"I can't say enough about our four year seniors and the leadership they provided to the team this year and knowing what it takes," head coach Jenepher Banker said.
The Wildcats will face Texas Women's University on Monday at 3:30 p.m., with a win sending Daemen to its first ever national semifinals.
"Why not us?" Angeletti said of the team's mindset. "We've had the win and if you lose, go home mentality this whole tournament, so I think ... a small team from Buffalo, we can do big things.
"If we have that mindset, nothing can stop us."