ABINGTON, Pa – For the first time in program history, both Abington men and women's basketball will be competing in the NEAC tournament Tuesday evening. Both programs will square off against Gallaudet University, with the women hosting at Abington and the men traveling to Washington D.C.
 
The women clinched a home game after their 66-53 win over College of St. Elizabeth and earned their best finish as a program since 1982 when the Nittany Lions finished 20-2 under Pat Clayton.
 
Head coach Stephanie Carideo took over a program that went 0-24 just two years prior to her appointment and recorded a successful season finishing 19-5 in the regular season.
 
"I'm extremely proud of my players for buying into what I have been preaching since October 15^th, and that is being apart of a special change to the women's basketball program by making a lot of firsts. We are first NCAA Penn State Abington women's basketball team to win over 19 games, the first time making the NEAC playoffs and hosting our first NEAC playoff game. It is the first time the women's team was talked about nationally by leading the nation in defense.  As the regular season ends, we will continue to strive for more firsts in the post season!  "
 
Dominant defense has been a key to Abington's historic season.  Ranked first in the NCAA Division III in scoring defense, the Nittany Lions held opponents to 50 points or less 14 games during the regular season.
 
The basketball program will tread new ground, since they have never been in the NEAC post season until this year. "We will continue to prepare just as we have done throughout the year for all of our opponents " said Carideo.  "We continue to review scouting reports, watching film, going over our defensive strategy, and how we will execute offensively against their defense. Preparation is the key to winning."
 
For the first round of the NEAC playoffs Abington will square off against Gallaudet. Earlier in the season the Nittany Lions split the series, taking game one 48-28 at home and falling on the road 39-60. 
 
"Gallaudet is a very well Coached team. I have a lot of respect for head coach Stephanie Stevens. Her players never back down and play 40 minutes with a lot of heart. I think at this point in the season any match-up we face will be a tough, it's win or go home."
 
The women host Gallaudet Tuesday night at 7:00 PM; live stats and live video coverage will be available at abingtonsports.com.