March 10, 2006

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Two-time national runner-up and No. 1 seed Cedarville University (Ohio) defeated Bryan College (Tenn.), 86-56, Friday in the second round 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.

Cedarville's Brittany Smart scored a double-double with 24 points and 15 rebounds in the game. Smart, a junior, moved into third place on the tournament's all-time scoring charts with the effort. She currently has scored 249 points in 12 tournament games over her career. She needs three points to take sole possession of second place.

Through the first 15 minutes Bryan gave the Yellow Jackets all they could handle, battling to a 27-27 tie with 4:41 remaining in the first half. But Cedarville closed out the half with a 16-2 run, including nine points by Smart.

The Lady Lions out-shot Cedarville in the opening half, 44 percent to 35 percent, but struggled from the field in the second half, hitting just seven field goals. Cedarville controlled the boards, out-rebounding Bryan 59-37.

Ten players put points on the board for fifth seeded Bryan College. Junior Sarah Coffman led the Lady Lions with 10 points. This was the third tournament appearance for Bryan, who earned their first tournament win in the opening round, defeating Bethel 73-68.

No. 1 seed Cedarville will be in quarterfinal action tomorrow at 3:00 p.m.

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

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