March 8, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 1 seed Saint Francis (Ind.) led from start to finish as the defeated No. 8 seed Trinity Christian College, 75-51, in the first round of the16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

The Cougars of Saint Francis (27-7) shot over fifty percent from the field in the opening frame (51.7 percent) as they opened up a 41-21 lead at intermission. Chivonn Keppeler scored 12 of her game-high 16 points in the opening frame.

Trinity (16-17) was one of two teams that came into the tournament with a record of .500 or less. The Trolls struggled from the field in the opening half, hitting just seven field goals. Brittany Kolenbrander led the Trolls in scoring with 10 points. In all 10 different players scored for Trinity.

For Saint Francis seven different players had at least six points. The Cougars were paced by Keppeler with 16, Tara Dice with 12 and Marie Kaufmann came off the bench to add 10 points.  

Saint Francis will take on the winner of the Mount Marty (S.D.) and Bryan (Tenn.) in the second round on Friday at 2:15 p.m.

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