March 8, 2007
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 2 seed Bethel (Ind.) won a shot-out with No. 7 seed Berea (Ky.), 98-86, 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.
Berea (22-8) led the nation in scoring (94.1 point per game) during the regular season and averaged almost 95 shot attempts in each contest. Bethel (27-6) also could put points on the board, ranked 15th in the NAIA in scoring.
It was Bethel who had the hot hand throughout the game, shooting 57.8 percent from the field, hitting 37 field goals. In the second half the Lady Pilots were nearly automatic, shooting at a 64 percent clip.
Berea made a late surge to cut an 80-55 Lady Pilot lead down to 94-82, but it was too little, too late for the Lady Mountaineers.
Four players finished in double figures for Bethel including a tournament-high 33 points by Natalie Young. Abby Noll also turned in a solid offensive performance going for 28 points, getting eight from the charity strip. Alicia Barczak and Nora Didrick chipped in with 12 and 10 points respectively.
Berea had nine different players score, three in double figures, led by Annbruce Madden with 17. Shavannah Brinson added 16 while Rebbecca May and Sarah Hughes chipped in with 13 and 10 points respectively. Hughes added 10 rebounds to notch the double double.
Bethel awaits the winner of Corban (Ore.) and Sterling (Kan.) in the second round on Friday at 9:15 p.m.
For more information on the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship visit www.naia.org.
