March 10, 2007

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - No. 1 seed Cedarville (Ohio) put an end to the Cinderella run of No. 6 seed Taylor (Ind.). Cedarville won 64-55 on Saturday evening at the 16^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Taylor (23-12) broke away from an 18-18 tie midway through the first half thanks to a 13-3 over an eight minute span. Allison Sweeny scored 15 points in the first half as the Lady Trojans took a 36-27 into the break.

 

After struggling from the floor in the first half (26.7 percent) Cedarville picked up the offensive pace in the second frame, going on a 15-0 run to erase an eight-point deficit and take a 48-41 advantage. During the run the Lady Jackets hit three long-range field goals.

 

Brittany Smart scored 17 of her game-high 29 points in the second half to lead the Lady Jackets to compliment 12 rebounds. Smart tied her own record for free throws made in a game, going an amazing 16-of-16 from the charity stripe. She also eclipsed the marks for most field goals and free throws on a career. She now has 128 field goals and 95 free throws and will have the chance to add to those marks in the semifinals.

The only other player in double figures for Cedarville was Stacie Travis with a dozen.

 

Taylor was led in scoring by Allison Sweeney who came off the bench for 17 points. Jenny Dawes chipped in with 10 points.

 

Cedarville will take on undefeated Indiana Wesleyan in the semifinals on Monday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m. Indiana Wesleyan downed Cedarville by five points during a regular season meeting.

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