March 7, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Defending champion and No. 2 seed Hastings College (Neb.) kept their hopes of repeating alive with a 74-47 win over Eastern Oregon University at the 16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Hastings (27-6) used a 21-7 run to break free from an eight all tie at the 13:06 mark and never looked back. The Broncos opened up a 40-23 lead at intermission behind 41.7 percent shooting and six three-point field goals in the first half.

Eastern Oregon (25-7) was hampered by 26 turnovers, 16 in the second half. Two players were in double figures for the Mountaineers including Sheena Henderson with 17 and Christie Weaver with 11.

All five starters scored in double digits for the Broncos. Heather McKeon led a balanced Hastings attack with 14 points. Hruka Yamashito added a dozen, four from beyond the arc, while Stacy Svoboda and Kay Broekemeier each had 11 points. Lindsay Ducey chipped in with 10.

With the win the Broncos move on to face William Jewell, a winner over Cornerstone early in the tournament, on Friday, March 8, at 8:30 a.m.

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