Five Minnesota schools have qualified for the NCAA Division III men’s and women’s basketball tournaments, which open with first-round games Friday.

St. Thomas women, who won the MIAC title, will play host to UMAC champion Wisconsin-Superior, and will play again at home if they win.

MIAC men’s champion Bethel will play Friday at Wisconsin-River Falls. The St. Thomas men play Augustana (Ill.) at Wisconsin-Whitewater. UMAC men’s champion Northwestern of Roseville will play Whitewater, with the winners meeting in the second round on Sunday.

Gustavus also qualified for the D-III women’s tournament and will play at Wisconsin-Oshkosh, against DePauw.

Second-round games are scheduled for Saturday.

News services