BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Appearing on the sport's grandest stage for the third time in program history, the Pace University women's basketball team faces top-seeded North Georgia in the NCAA Elite Eight on Monday night (7 p.m. EST) in Birmingham, Ala. 
 
How We Got Here
The seventh-seeded Setters defeated Daemen College, 67-65, in the NCAA East Regional final last Monday to earn their third trip to the Elite Eight. Pace's run through the east also included wins over second-seeded Chestnut Hill (59-53) and third-seeded USciences (65-60). 
 
Lauren Schetter (Beacon, N.Y./Beacon High School) was named the East Regional's Most Outstanding Player after averaging 18.7 points and 5.7 rebounds in Pace's three wins. She was especially spectacular in the championship game with 27 points and eight boards. 
 
Speaking of Schetter
Schetter has served as Pace's catalyst all year long. The graduate forward was named to the Northeast-10 All-Conference First Team, in addition to the D2CCA All-Region First Team.
 
An all-around terrific season, Schetter is currently boasting averages of 19.5 points, 7.8 rebounds and 1.0 blocks per game, while also sitting with a field-goal percentage of 48.4%. She has scored 20+ points in 14 games, while piling up seven double-doubles.
 
Schetter is one of just three players in school history with over 1,500 points, 750 rebounds and 100 blocks. She is currently fourth on Pace's all-time scoring list with 1,687 points.
 
Setter Balance
Pace showed off its versatility during the NCAA East Regional. The Setters had a different leading scorer in each victory. Prior to Schetter's 27 points in the finale, Katumina Mansaray (Ontario, Canada/Cardinal Newman Secondary School/Tilton School) tallied a team-high 16 in the win over Chestnut Hill while Lauren Hackett (Commack, N.Y./St. Anthony's) recorded 19 points and six assists against USciences.
 
Defensive Tenacity
The Setters are allowing opponents to score just 57.8 points per game. In fact, only one team has reached the 70-point mark against the Setters and that was during an 80-70 win over Dominican on Dec. 10. Additionally, Pace's 4.4 blocks per contest ranked third in the NE10 this season. 
 
Taking Care of the Ball
The Setters led the NE10 in averaging just 13.1 turnovers per game. In fact, Pace was the only team in the conference that had more total assists than turnovers during the 2021-22 campaign. Individually, Hackett leads the Setters at 4.1 assists per contest.
 
Scouting the Nighthawks
North Georgia enters Monday night as the top seed of the NCAA Elite Eight with a record of 28-3. The Nighthawks won the Southeast Region as the region's top seed courtesy of a 59-57 win over Lander University.
 
Winners of 11 straight games, UNG played both the Peach Belt Conference Tournament and the Southeast Regional on their home court. The Nighthawks haven't played a road game since Feb. 23.
 
Individually, third-team All-American Julianne Sutton leads the way with 16.1 points and 9.6 rebounds per game. She is the only player in the history of the Peach Belt Conference to reach 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds. 
 
Coach Seymour
In a career of milestones, this season might top the list for Pace Women's Basketball Head Coach Carrie Seymour. In addition to leading the Setters to the program's third Elite Eight—and second during her tenure (2001)—she also became just the 17th active Division II coach with 500 career wins earlier this season. 
 
Seymour's Setters also earned the program's first-ever NE10 Southwest Division regular-season championship after tallying a 14-5 league record.
 
Previous Trips
Pace's previous two trips to the NCAA Elite Eight resulted in quarterfinal losses. In 2001, the Setters lost to the eventual National Champion, Cal Poly Pomona, 74-54, in Rochester, Minn.
 
The Setters' historic 1985 squad (best record in school history, 28-3) lost to Hampton College, 90-82, in Springfield, Mass.
 
For all information regarding Pace Athletics, log on to www.PaceUAthletics.com and follow Pace Athletics on Facebook (T-Bone, Official Mascot of Pace University Athletics), Twitter (@PaceUAthletics) and Instagram (@PaceAthletics).