Marist signs Giorgis through 2014

7/20/2007 2:00 PM

By DOUG FEINBERG
AP Sports Writer

NEW YORK (AP) -Coming off the best season in school history, Marist rewarded women's basketball coach Brian Giorgis with a contract extension through 2013-14 on Friday.

Giorgis headed a Marist team that was one of the biggest surprises of the NCAA tournament last season, reaching the round of 16 before falling to eventual national champion Tennessee. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

``I am very thankful to Marist for this extension,'' Giorgis said. ``I've been in the Hudson Valley for 30 years, and I can't think of a better place to be. I thank (Marist College President) Dr. Dennis Murray and (athletic director) Tim Murray for their faith and trust in me.''

Marist had a school-record 29 victories and upset No. 4 Ohio State in the opening round of the tournament, becoming the first Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference team to win a game in the NCAAs. They also were the third No. 13 seed to reach the final 16.

``I continue to be impressed by Brian's ability to build a very well-respected Division I women's basketball program,'' Tim Murray said. ``Having been to three NCAA tournaments in his first five years, including this year's trip to the Sweet 16, is an indication of the job he's done. I'm confident our women's basketball program will continue to thrive under Brian's leadership.''

Marist is 107-47 in Giorgis' five years at the school and returns four starters from last season's team.