By Andy Walter

NEWARK — It may not be the NCAA Tournament berth that the Delaware women’s basketball team really wanted.

But at least the Blue Hens will get a chance to extend their season.

Delaware will take on Fordham in the first round of the WNIT on Friday at 11 a.m. in Charlotte, N.C.

The Hens (21-4) received an automatic berth in the 32-team tournament as the regular-season champion of the Colonial Athletic Association.

Delaware lost to Drexel in the championship game of the CAA tourney on Saturday. This will be the Hens’ ninth appearance in the WNIT and its first since 2018.

Delaware is 0-8 in the tournament.

This year’s WNIT is split into four regions. The Hens are playing in the Charlotte Region.

The winner of the Delaware-Fordham matchup will face the winner of Clemson vs. Ohio in the second round at 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The region final will be played on Monday at 7 p.m. The region will also have a four-team consolation bracket.

Each of the four regional winners will advance to the semifinals in Memphis, Tenn. on March 26. The championship game will be played at the same site on March 28.