MACOMB, Ill.- The Western Illinois Leathernecks women's basketball is headed to the NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Tournament and will face the North Carolina Tar Heels in the first round of March Madness.

The Leathernecks previously faced the UNC Tar Heels in 1995 as a No.14 seed, falling 48-84. This season, Western Illinois will look to turn the tables and secure a win against the Tar Heels.

Western Illinois enters the NCAA Tournament with a 26-5 overall record after winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament to earn the conference's automatic bid. The Leathernecks finished 18-4 in conference play during the regular season before making a strong run in the postseason, highlighted by a championship victory over Lindenwood Lions women's basketball to secure the program's place in the national tournament.

North Carolina comes into the matchup with a 26-7 overall record and finished 14-4 in the Atlantic Coast Conference. The Tar Heels have been ranked at times this season and advanced to the semifinals of the ACC Women's Basketball Tournament, earning a bid into the NCAA Tournament.

For Western Illinois, the appearance marks a major accomplishment for the program and gives the Leathernecks a chance to compete on one of the biggest stages in college basketball. WIU will look to carry the momentum from its conference tournament championship into the national tournament as it prepares to face North Carolina.

Game time, location, and broadcast information for the first-round matchup will be announced as the NCAA Tournament schedule is finalized. For more information, follow the WIU Women's Basketball team on social media, and visit the NCAA Women's Championship site here. 

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