March 7, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 1 seed Indiana Wesleyan cruised to a 69-25 victory over No. 8 seed Saint Joseph (Vt.) in the first round of 16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Indiana Wesleyan (34-0), who held the No.1 ranking the entire season, opened up an early lead (11-0) and never looked back en route to a 21-point cushion at intermission. Saint Joseph (16-15), who had nine first half points, was held to just three field goals in opening frame.

Eleven different players scored for the Wildcats of Indiana Wesleyan, three going for double figures: Sarah McGill (13), Liz Howerth (13) and Sarah Branham (10).Howerth just missed a double double with nine rebounds.

As team the undefeated Wildcats shot 40.3 percent from the field and out-rebounded the Fighting Saints by eight. Indian Wesleyan struggled from the floor all game, hitting on just 17.8 percent of their attempts from the field.

Indiana Wesleyan advances to the second round and will play Tabor, a 46-41 winner over Cardinal Stritch earlier in the tournament. That game is scheduled to tip off at Noon on Friday, March 8.