March 12, 2008
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. -Sixth seed William Jewell College (Mo.) forces 29 turnovers in a 49-38 defeat of defending national champion Indian Wesleyan, in the opening round of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
A defensive struggle, Indiana Wesleyan was held to 22 percent shooting in the first half as William Jewell jumped out to a 22-15 halftime advantage.
The William Jewell lead swelled to as much as 15 in the second half as the Cardinals were in control throughout the frame. William Jewell out muscled the Wildcats on the boards, out rebounding Indian Wesleyan 34-28, and scoring 26 points in the paint. The Cardinals also took advantage of the 29 Wildcat turnovers, converting those into 29 points.
Indiana Wesleyan the defending NAIA Division II national champion ends the season with a two game losing streak, while bowing out of the national tournament in the first round for the first time in six tournament appearances.
Faith Pontius led the Cardinals off the bench with 12 points. Erica Ferguson fell one rebound shy of a double-double with 11 points and nine rebounds. Hillary Adams added 11 points for the Cardinals.
Lisa Thompson paced the Wildcats with a game-high 13 points on 4-of-8 shooting from the field, along with hitting on 5-of-10 free throws.
William Jewell (Mo.) will play on Friday at 4:00 p.m. against the Minot State Beavers in second round action.
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