March 8, 2006

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 6 seed Dakota State University pulled off a mild upset over three-seed Shawnee State University (Ohio) 59-55 in the first game of the 15^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Laura Tewes and Jessica VanLoy led Dakota State with 12 points each. Tewes, a sophomore forward, scored a double-double after pulling down a team-high 15 rebounds. Angie Gottsleben scored 11 points.  Amber Malvin scored 10.  Sara Nelson grabbed 12 total rebounds, 10 defensive.

Both teams struggled from the floor, Dakota State shot just 26.9 percent while Shawnee converted on just 31.9 percent of their attempts. The two teams combined for 103 rebounds (62 for Dakota State, 41 for Shawnee State).

Shawnee State was led by Tara Walker who also had a double-double. Walker scored 15 points and 13 rebounds. Heather Schilling scored 14 points. Shawnee finishes the season with a record of 25-8.

Dakota State improves to 21-10 and advances to a second round game at 8:30am on Friday against the winner of Tabor College and Eastern Oregon.

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

Box Score