The decision has come down from Indianapolis, and Iowa State has been chosen to host first- and second-round NCCA Women’s Basketball Tournament games in 2008.

Iowa State is one of eight schools the NCAA Division I Women’s Basketball Committee selected to host the tournament.

The two rounds will feature eight teams, and all games will be played at the 110-seat Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines.

“The NCAA decision to hold first- and second-round competition at Wells Fargo Arena is a tribute to the combined efforts of our athletic department and the convention and visitors bureau in Des Moines,” said President Gregory Geoffroy in a statement. “It’s also a compliment to the enthusiastic fans we have for women’s college basketball in Iowa.”

In the past, Iowa State has hosted first- and second-round NCAA Tournament games six times since 1998. The 2002 Midwest Regional was also played here.

“This is the start of a great partnership among greater Des Moines, Iowa State University and the NCAA,” said Greg Edwards, President/CEO of the Greater Des Moines Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“It is a significant win as Des Moines competes for events that will use the new Iowa Events Center.”

The 2005 Mediacom Cyclone Capital Classic is also set to use the facility in December when Mediacom and ESPN 2 air a Cyclone doubleheader.

The women will play Northern Iowa in the first game, and the men will take on Ohio State to cap off the event.

Along with Iowa State, the other host institutions include New Mexico, Louisiana State, Fairfield, Maryland, Old Dominion, Stanford and Purdue. Games will be played March 22-25.

— ISU Media Relations

— Chris Mackey contributed to this article