March 7, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - In the final game of the night No. 7 seed Iowa Wesleyan College became the second lower-seeded team to pull an upset, downing No. 2 seed Menlo College (Calif.), 63-50 in the first round of the 16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

Menlo (25-3) shot just 27.9 percent from the field, including a 21.9 percent performance in the second half. The Oaks held the lead at intermission, 27-25, but couldn't survive a hot shooting second half by the Tigers.

 

Iowa Wesleyan (22-10) shot a blistering 53.8 percent from floor in the second half as three players finished in double figures. Ashley Swick led the Tigers with 17 while Ali DeVries chipped in with 16 and Rachel Mitchell had a dozen. Sara Goodman was one board and one point shy of the double double (9 points, 9 rebounds).

A bucket by Swick with 17:27 gave Iowa Wesleyan the lead for good, as they never trailed the rest of the way.

 

Lee Kepua had game-highs in points and rebounds (20 points, 15 rebounds) to help keep Menlo in striking distance. Emily Zygmontowicz added 17 points. Despite the big night on the boards by Kepua the Oaks were still out-rebounding by Iowa Wesleyan (48-36).

Iowa Wesleyan will face No. 6 seed Taylor, who defeated No. 3 seed Dakota State, in the second round at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, March 9.

 

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