OTTAWA (CIS) – Canadian Interuniversity Sport announced Tuesday an agreement with The Score Television Network to broadcast its men’s and women’s basketball championships next month.

The Score will have live coverage of the men’s semifinals on March 9 and title match on March 10, as well as the women’s gold-medal final on March 17.

“We are thrilled to partner with The Score to showcase our basketball championships to a national television audience,” said CIS president Leo MacPherson. “Every year, our Final 8 basketball tournaments produce some of the most exciting and memorable moments of the CIS winter championship season and this year should be no exception. These national broadcasts will provide our exceptional student-athletes the exposure they deserve.”

“The Score is proud to announce that we are once again partnering with Canadian Interuniversity Sport to broadcast live men’s and women’s basketball championships on our network,” said Greg Sansone, vice president, The Score Television Network.  “We have a long tradition of showcasing some of the country’s finest university athletes on The Score and we’re glad to bring back the 2013 winter championships to our viewers.”

The CIS basketball championships return to The Score for the first time since 2009.

Over the years, the network has broadcast 11 games from the men’s Final 8, including five in 2009, four in 2006 and two in 2002, as well as nine contests from the women’s tournament, including the national final in 2009, 2008 and 2007, four matches in 2002 and two in 2001.

Carleton University is set to host the 2013 CIS men’s championship from March 8 to 10 at Scotiabank Place in Ottawa. The host Ravens, currently ranked No. 1 in the country, are the two-time defending national champions and are vying for a record-setting ninth W.P. McGee Trophy title overall.

The women’s Final 8 is scheduled for the following weekend at the University of Regina (March 15-17). The top-ranked Windsor Lancers hope to become the first team since 1995 to capture three straight Bronze Baby Trophies. The championship host Regina Cougars are currently ranked second nationally.

NOTE: All games (televised or non-televised) from the CIS men’s and women’s basketball championships will be streamed live on www.CIS-SIC.tv.

2013 CIS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE SCORE:

• March 9, 5:30 pm Eastern: Men’s semifinal doubleheader
• March 10, 3:30 pm Eastern: Men’s final
• March 17, 4:00 pm Central (6:00 pm Eastern): Women’s final

HISTORY OF CIS BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIPS ON THE SCORE:

Men (14 games including 2013)

• 2013 (3): semifinals, final
• 2009 (5): quarter-finals (2), semifinals, final
• 2006 (4): quarter-final (1), semifinals, final
• 2001 (2): quarter-finals

Women (10 games including 2013)

• 2013 (1): final
• 2009 (1): final
• 2008 (1): final
• 2007 (1): final
• 2002 (2): semifinals
• 2001 (4): 5th place, bronze, semifinals