Courtesy: Jim Daves/UVa Media Relations Aisha Mohammed

LOS ANGELES – No. 22-ranked and No. 5 seed Virginia faces 12th-seeded Marist in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Tournament on Saturday. Tip-off from the Galen Center in Los Angeles is scheduled for approximately 7:30 p.m. local time, and the game will be televised by ESPN2. Live audio is available through V Pass and live statistics can be accessed at VirginiaSports.com.

Virginia (23-9) is making its 23rd appearance in the NCAA Tournament. The Cavaliers earned an at-large berth after finishing tied for fifth in the ACC (8-6) and advancing to the quarterfinals of the league tournament. The ‘Hoos have compiled a 32-22 (.593) all-time mark and have appeared in three Final Fours (1990, 1991, 1992).

Last season, Virginia advanced to the second round, but lost at ODU, 88-85, in overtime. The last time Virginia advanced to the Sweet Sixteen was in 2000 as a No. 4 seed.

UVa has been a No. 5 seed just one other time (1984). That year, it lost in the first round to fourth-seeded NC State, 86-73.

Head coach Debbie Ryan has reached the 20-win mark for the 22nd time in her career. The Hall of Fame coach’s career record is 698-297, just two wins shy of 700.

Virginia continues to be led offensively by national player of the year candidate and first team All-ACC selection Monica Wright, who averages 20.5 points per game, and senior Lyndra Littles, who averages 20.5 points per game and was also named to the All-ACC first team.

Aisha Mohammed, meanwhile, was named an honorable mention All-ACC selection and averages 13.0 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. She led the Cavaliers with 13 double-doubles on the season.

Marist enters the contest with an overall record of 29-3 and MAAC mark of 16-2. The Red Foxes won their conference tournament by topping Canisius, 78-63, in the championship game on March 8. Marist is led by Rachele Fitz (20.6 ppg, 9.3 rpg) and Julianne Viani (15.2 ppg).

Virginia and Marist have never met in women’s basketball action.

The winner of Saturday’s game would advance to the 6:30 p.m. (Pacific Time) second round game on Monday, March 23. The opponent would be the winner of the No. 4 seed California vs. No. 13 seed Fresno State game (being played prior to the UVa-Marist contest on Saturday).