March 9, 2006

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.) edged out Notre Dame College (Ohio) 69-62 Thursday in the first round game of the 15^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship. The 2006 event is being held at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

In a close contest Cardinal Stritch led the entire first half. The score at halftime was 35-32 in favor of the CSU Wolves.

Notre Dame threatened late in the second as the Falcons pulled within two points, 62-60 with just under three minutes left in the game. But Stritch's Megan Pazdera drained a three and followed it up with a jumper to spur a 9-2 run to that put the game out of reach for Notre Dame.

Strich's was led in scoring by Katie Rogers who turned in 19 points; four better than her season average. She was one of three players in double figures as sophomore guard Jeni Daldwell scored 16 and Pazdera added 11.

Ashley Carney paced Notre Dame scoring 17 points off the bench, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Senior guard Kristi Wendolowski turned in a double-double with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Sara Dia added 10 points, four steals and three assists for the Falcons who were making their first appearance in the tournament.

Notre Dame's first appearance is short-lived as Cardinal Stritch advances to the second round on Friday night at 7:00 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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