Bucknell women's basketball poised to be lone unbeaten team entering NCAA Tournament

Bucknell women's basketball has only played nine games this season but their undefeated record has set them on a path to the NCAA women's tournament in San Antonio. 

No. 1 in the Patriot League, the Bison had every game in February canceled due to the team's pause for coronavirus concerns. 

Sunday night they were back on the court for the first time since Jan. 31 and beat Loyola Maryland in the quarterfinals, advancing to the league's semifinal round Thursday. 

"All things considered, I'm really happy with the performance," second-year head coach Trevor Woodruff said after the 65-50 win. "It was a challenge to get to this point. February was as long and tough of a month as I've ever been a part of as a coach. So, for our team to get through that and get to this point was a proud thing, and then for them to win and advance and get to come back to practice tomorrow is exciting."

SEC basketball: Half of teams are coached by Black women 

The conference announced in January it was waiving the requirement to play 12 games to be eligible for the postseason tournament and put in waivers to the NCAA to allow the women's and men's teams that won't meet the minimum 13-game criteria that is required to play in the NCAA Tournament. 

Poll: Connecticut stays No. 1 in women's basketball poll

Bucknell is one of only two undefeated Division 1 teams. California Baptist women's basketball is in year three of a four-year transition to becoming an official Division 1 school, barring them from competing in the NCAA Tournament regardless of their perfect record and No. 1 seed in the Western Athletic Conference tournament.

Contact Analis Bailey at aabailey@usatoday.com or on Twitter @analisbailey.