March 7, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - William Jewell College used solid free-throw shooting down the stretch to pull away from Cornerstone University in the first round of the16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

Leading 63-60, William Jewell (27-6) hit seven free throws in the final 2:34 of the game to put the contest out of reach. For the game the Cardinals hit 20-of-29 attempts from the charity stripe (69.0 percent).

 

Cornerstone (22-11) stayed close throughout the second half thanks in part their own performance from the line, going 25-of-30 on the game. Four different Golden Eagles were in double figures, led by Sarah Bussis with 19. Others in double figures included Jenna Plewes (16), Stephanie Allers (14) and Kara Overbeek (10). Allers also pulled down a game high 16 rebounds for the double double.

For William Jewell eight different players scored, led by Hillary Adams with 21 points and Erica Ferguson with 18 and Amber Parker with 10. As a team the Cardinals shot 40.0 percent from the field and hit nine threes.

 

William Jewell advances to the second round and will play the winner of Eastern Oregon and Hastings (Neb.) on Friday at 8:30 a.m.

For more information on the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship visit www.naia.org.