NCAA Yanks Women’s Basketball Tournament Site From NJ

The NCAA has moved a 2013 women's basketball regional from Trenton, N.J. to Bridgeport, citing a new law that allows gambling on college sports in New Jersey.

The NCAA said Friday the tournament will be played on March 30 and April 1 at the Webster Bank Arena.

The MAAC conference and Fairfield University will host the regional.

"It was great news to hear that the NCAA has awarded the 2013 NCAA East Regional to the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport. The MAAC membership was originally looking forward to hosting the Sweet 16 round of the championships in Trenton, and is pleased it will have that same opportunity in Bridgeport with Fairfield University," said MAAC Commissioner Rich Ensor. It should be a great two days of college hoops."

New Jersey announced last month that plans to license sports betting as soon as Jan. 9. In response, the NCAA said it would no longer play championships in the state.

Bridgeport last hosted a regional in 2006. It also has hosted the first two rounds of the 2004, 2008 and 2012 tournaments.

No. 2 Connecticut will host the first two rounds this season in Storrs and could play its first four tournament games in Connecticut.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)