March 10, 2006

[Complete Bracket]

SIOUX CITY, Iowa - The second round of the 15^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship saw two-time defending national champs Morningside College (Iowa) make an exit as they were defeated by Cardinal Stritch University (Wis.), 80-60.

Dakota State pulled off the other upset of the day as they downed Tabor College 77-58. After a fairly even first half, Dakota State got hot from the field in the second half, hitting on 63 percent of their attempt for the win. They will take on Hastings (Neb.) who also pulled away in the second half for a 71-50 victory against a fellow Nebraska team, the College of St. Mary (Neb.). 

In one of the more enticing math-ups of the day Northwestern College (Iowa) escaped with a 68-63 victory over Indian Wesleyan Unviersity. The teams traded punches in the second half, but in the end Deb Remmerde took over, scoring the final 11 points of the game to lead the Red Raiders to the win. The will take on last year's runner-up Cedarville University (Ohio).

The Yellow Jackets of Cedarville cruised in their second round game, winning 86-36 over Bryan College (Tenn.). Cedarville's Brittany Smart netted 24 points in the game and moved into third place on the tournament's all-time scoring charts. She needs three points to take sole possession of second place.

Also picking up a 30-point win was the University of Saint Francis (Ind.) who will take on Cardinal Stritch. Saint Francis advanced to the quarterfinals by defeating Menlo College (Calif.) 80-50. Saint Francis broke a 10-10 tie in the first half with a 21-0 run and never looked back.

College of the Ozarks (Mo.) moved on in a game of momentum shifts behind the strong play of Cara Painter. Painter notched 24 points and eight rebounds in the Lady Bobcats 83-75 win over Aquinas College (Mich.). Ozarks takes on the Benedictine College (Kan.)who won on a buzzer-beater in the final game of the day over Doane College (Neb.), 56-55. Angeline Finazzo buried a three off the left side as time expired to propel Benedictine to the quarterfinals.

The 32-team, single elimination tournament continues on Saturday, March 11^th with the quarterfinal round of games. Monday, March 13 is the semifinal round. The tournament concludes Tuesday, March 14 with the championship game at 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday First Round Scores:

#6 Dakota St. (S.D.) (21-10) def. #3 Shawnee St. (Ohio) (25-8) 59-55

#5 Bryan (Tenn.) (26-7) def. #4 Bethel (Tenn.) (27-6) 73-68

#2 Tabor (Kan.) (28-4) def. #7 Eastern Oregon (24-8) 65-58

#1 Cedarville (Ohio) (28-3) def. #8 Maine at Fort Kent (19-10) 83-39

#3 Indiana Wesleyan (28-6) def. #6 Warner Pacific (Ore.) (22-9) 81-53

#5 Saint Mary (Neb.) (22-9) def. #4 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) (27-7) 64-48

#2 Northwestern (Iowa) (28-4) def. #7 Iowa Wesleyan (25-8) 93-78

#1 Hastings (Neb.) (27-6) def, #8 Judson (Ill.) (21-11) 70-43

Thursday First Round Scores:

#4 Aquinas (Mich.) (26-7) def. #5 Berea (Ky.) (26-6) 84-53

#2 St. Francis (Ind.) (26-7) def. #7 Minot State (N.D.) (19-12) 71-63

#1 Ozarks (Mo.) (30-1) def. #8 Webber International (Fla.) (19-9)  75-50

#3 Menlo (Calif.) (25-3) def. #6 Davenport (Mich.) (28-6) 45-43

#4 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) (27-4) def. #5 Notre Dame (Ohio) (25-7) 69-62

#2 Benedictine (Kan.) (29-4) def. #7 Daemen (N.Y.) (22-12) 73-60

#1 Morningside (Iowa) (28-6) def. #8 Virginia-Wise (24-10) 82-62

#3 Doane (Neb.) (25-6) def. #6 Ottawa (Kan.) (22-10) 50-40

Friday Second

#6 Dakota State (S.D.) (22-10) def.  #2 Tabor (Kan.) (28-5) 77-58

#1 Hastings (Neb.) (28-6) def. #5 Saint Mary (Neb.) (22-10) 70-51

#1 Cedarville (Ohio) (29-3) def.. #5 Bryan (Tenn.) (27-7) 86-56

#2 St. Francis (Ind.) (27-7) def. #3 Menlo (Calif.) (25-4) 80-50

#1 Ozarks (Mo.) (31-1) def. #4 Aquinas (Mich.) (26-8) 83-75

#2 Northwestern (Iowa) (29-4) def. #3 Indiana Wesleyan (28-7) 68-65

#4 Cardinal Stritch (Wis.) (28-4) def. #1 Morningside (Iowa) (28-7) 80-60

#2 Benedictine (Kan.) (30-4) def.  #3 Doane (Neb.) (25-7) 56-55

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

[Complete Bracket]