March 12, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. -Seventh seed Minot State University shot 54 percent from the floor to upset second seed Shawnee State, 94-82, in the opening round of the17^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

 

In a game that featured just two ties and five lead changes, all in the first half, Minot took the lead for good with 8:25 remaining in the second half on a bucket by Kendra Meyer. Meyer led all scorers in the game, finishing with 28 points. The Beavers closed the half on an 18-9 run.

The Minot lead swelled to as much as 20 in the second half as the Beavers were in control throughout the frame.

Shawnee State, who lost for just the third time this season, converted on just 17 percent of their attempts from long range and were out-rebounded 41-33. Leading the Bears in scoring was Kelly Wagner with 25. She also grabbed six rebounds, had five steals and three assists. Others in double digits for Shawnee State included Becky Babione and Mallory Albers with 14 each.

Kendra Meyers paced the Beavers with a game-high 28 points. Also eclipsing the 20-point plateau was Brittni Walker with 23 points on 8-of-10 shooting. She also grabbed seven rebounds. Lashay Bagsby and Whitney Loftesnes added14 and 13 points respectively for the Beavers.

Minot will play on Friday at 4:00 p.m. against the winner of defending national champion Indiana Wesleyan and William Jewell (Mo.).