March 8, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 3 seed Sterling (Kan.) picked up an 80-70 win over No. 6 seed Corban (Ore.) to finish the first round of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Both teams shot well from the field as Sterling (27-5) was 46.4 percent from the floor while Corban (27-7) converted 42.4 percent of the time.

Sterling was more accurate from long-range and that proved to be the difference. Sterling hit on 6-of-11 from beyond the arc, three in the first half and three in the second. Other than that area, that game was very even statistically.

The teams traded lead or where tied 18 times in the first half, as a buzzer beater as time expired on the opening frame gave Sterling a one-point cushion at the break.

In the second half Corban came storming back after trailing by as many as 13 to pull within four (70-67) at the 4:14 mark. Sterling responded, going on a 10-4 run to close out the game.

Sterling was led in scoring by K.C. Bassett who scored a game-high 23 points. Hillary Stucky, Ashley Kraft and Terell Coons finished with 15, 11 and 10 points respectively. Stuck notched a double double, grabbing 11 rebounds.

Corban also had four players in double figures. Brianne Carras finished with a double double, pouring in 22 points while grabbing 12 boards. Jessi Norton added 14, Jessica Steigleman had 13 and Tosha Wilson chipped in with 10.

Sterling will battle with Bethel on Friday at 9:45 p.m. in the second round.

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