INDIANA, Pa. – The Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) Athletic Department announced Wednesday that the upcoming NCAA Division II Men's and Women's Basketball Atlantic Region Championships will be played in front of only essential staff and family members.
 
The regional tournaments are hosted by IUP this Friday and Saturday, March 13-14 at the Kovalchick Convention & Athletic Complex.
 
This decision was made following NCAA President Mark Emmert's decision to limit fans at the NCAA Division I men's and women's basketball tournaments due to COVID-19 (coronavirus) concerns.
 
"It was our hope for everyone to share in the success of the teams we are hosting this weekend at IUP," said Director of Athletics Todd Garzarelli. "All of us understand the disappointment of fans and student-athletes but our decision was made in the best interest of public health.
 
"We encourage anyone not in attendance to watch all six games this Friday and Saturday on our streaming platforms at IUPAthletics.com."
 
All pre-sold tickets for the NCAA Atlantic Region Championships at the Kovalchick Complex will be refunded in full. Ticket holders can return those tickets to the Kovalchick Complex Box Office.
 
The tournaments will tip-off Friday with women's No. 4 seed Bowie State against No. 5 seed Virginia Union at noon. Host and regional No. 1 seed IUP will then face No. 8 seed Fayetteville State at 2:30 p.m.
 
The men's bracket will start at 6 p.m. as No. 1 seed IUP plays No. 8 seed Winston-Salem State. No. 4 seed Shippensburg will play No. 5 seed Fairmont State at 8:30 p.m.
 
For more information on both tournaments, please visit www.IUPAthletics.com.
 
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
First Round, Friday, March 13

No. 4 Bowie State vs. No. 5 Virginia Union | 12 p.m.
No. 1 IUP vs. No. 8 Fayetteville State | 2:30 p.m.

Session Two
No. 1 IUP vs. No. 8 Winston-Salem State | 6 p.m.
No. 4 Shippensburg vs. No. 5 Fairmont State | 8:30 p.m.

Semifinals, Saturday, March 14
Session Three
Women's No. 4/5 Winner vs. No. 1/8 Winner | 5 p.m.
Men's No. 4/5 Winner vs. No. 1/8 Winner | 7:30 p.m.

Championship Game, Tuesday, March 17
Session Four
Indiana site Winner vs. West Liberty site Winner | Site TBD | Time TBD