March 9, 2006

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Benedictine College (Kan.) eased past Daemen College (N.Y.) 73-60 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.

Benedictine led at half 36-32 and went up by as many as 20 points in the second half. The Lady Ravens snatched 12 steals forcing 29 Daemen turnovers while committing only 10 turnovers of their own.

Benedictine senior forward Emily Smith scored 25 points, well above her season average of 13.1 point per game, hitting 9 of 14 shots from the floor. Leah Stuhlsatz was the second leading scorer for the Ravens with 11 points and Angela Campbell chipped in with 10 points. In all, eleven different Benedictine players scored in the game.

For Daemen, Germany Jackson led a balanced attack, scoring a double-double with 13 points and 13 rebounds. Sarah Bogardus and Allison Depp each scored 15 and pulled down a combined 17 rebounds. This was the third consecutive appearance in the tournament for Daemen.

Benedictine advances to the second round on Friday at 9:15 p.m.

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

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