March 8, 2006

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Indiana Wesleyan University cruised to an 81-53 victory over Warner Pacific College in Wednesday's first round of the 15^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship. The 2006 event is being held at the Tyson Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Making their fourth consecutive tournament appearance, the third-seeded Indiana Wesleyan Lady Wildcats shot 50 percent from the field and were led by junior guard Liz Howerth. Howerth scored 22 points and dished out four assists.  Stephanie Culp sank 4 of 8 three pointers and two free throws for 14 points.  Scoring 10 points and 10 rebounds Katy Hinkle's double-double helped Iowa Wesleyan out-rebound Warner Pacific 36-23.

Becky VanTine was the only player in double digits for the Warner Pacific Knights.  She scored 16 points and pulled down 4 rebounds. Silver Perce scored eight points off the bench for the Knights including two long-range field goals. This is Warner Pacific's second tournament appearance, the first coming in 2004.

Indiana Wesleyan will take on the winner of Iowa Wesleyan and Northwestern (Iowa) in a second round contest on Friday, March 10, at 5:45 p.m.

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

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