March 9, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 2 seed and defending national champion Hastings College (Neb.) advanced to the quarterfinals with a 57-46, win over No. 3 seed William Jewell (Mo.) on Friday morning at the 16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

It was a tale of two halves in the opening game of the second round as the Broncos of Hastings (28-6) dominated the first half, outscoring William Jewell 16-2 in the opening 6:07 en route and to a 39-15 lead at half.

 

The Cardinals of William Jewell (27-7) turned the tables in the second half, outscoring the Broncos 31-18 in the second frame. After struggling from the field in the first half, (20.7 percent) the Cardinals converted on 40 percent of their attempts in the second half, including a perfect 3-of-3 from beyond the arc.

 

The win marked the seventh consecutive NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship for Hastings.

 

Kay Broekemeier led a balanced Bronco scoring attack with 13 points, but it was Stacy Svoboda who had one of the more impressive stats of the tournament, pulling down 18 rebounds. As team the Broncos dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Cardinals 51-36. Other scoring leaders included Lindsay Ducey and Maggie Schmaderer who each had a dozen, while Rachael Van Kirk chipped in with 10 points.

William Jewell was led by Hillary Adams with 15 points, all coming in the second half. Adams had three from long range to help cut into the Hastings lead in the second half. Erica Ferguson was the only other Cardinal in double figures with 13.

 

Hastings continues their quest for back-to-back championships on Saturday in a 1:00 p.m. against the winner of Indiana Wesleyan and Tabor.

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