Edison, NJ - The Road to the Final Four begins in Trenton as the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and Rider University prepare to host the 2006 NCAA Women?™s Basketball Championship First/Second Rounds at the Sovereign Bank Arena.

Excitement continues to build as tickets are mailed, billboards installed along the New Jersey Turnpike and street pole banners are hung around the city. Trenton and Mercer County are bracing for the arrival of thousands of college basketball fans to cheer on their favorite teams.

?The Sovereign Bank Arena and Mercer County have truly embraced the event and are ready to welcome college basketball fans from around the country,? said Richard Ensor, Commissioner, Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference. ?The arena is prepared, we are ready to host and we are awaiting the selection of teams with great anticipation.?

Competition will begin on Sunday, March 19 with first round games. Session I will begin around noon, while Session II will convene in the evening. Session III will take place on Tuesday, March 21. The championship bracket will be announced on Monday, March 13 at 7 pm on ESPN.

There have already been 1,300 All-Session tickets sold and group sales are completely sold out for session I. Tickets can still be purchased at the Sovereign Bank Arena box office or by phone at (888) SBA-TIXX. All-Session passes are $75.

Some of college basketball?™s premier programs from the tri-state area could possibly begin the road to the Final Four in Trenton. Possible teams include, Rutgers University, the University of Connecticut and Temple University.