March 8, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 8 seed Edward Waters College stayed close in the first half, but No. 1 seed College of the Ozarks pulled away for a 74-55 win in the first round of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

College of the Ozarks (31-2), last year's runner-up, used an 8-0 run late in the first half en route to a 33-23 lead at the break.

 

The Lady Tigers of Edward Waters (11-15) shot 31.3 percent in the first half and forced 11 turnovers by the Bobcats to stay within striking distance in the opening frame.

 

It was all Ozarks in the second frame as they shot 48.5 percent from the field and pushed their lead to as many as 25. For the game the Bobcats drained 10 three-point field goals and made thee most of their opportunities from the charity stripe, hitting on 88.9 percent of their tries.

 

Three players reached double figures for the Bobcats, led by Kayli Combs with 21 points. Allison Rader and Josie Sparkman each chipped in with 15 points. In all eight different players scored for the College of Ozarks.

Ericka Golding came off the bench for Edward Waters to led all scorers with 25 points. Aishia THorton was the only other Lady Tigers in double digits with 14. Antoinette Upshaw grabbed 12 rebounds in 40 minutes of action.

 

Ozarks awaits the winner of Northwestern (IA) and Daemen (N.Y) in the second round on Friday at 5:45 p.m.

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