March 14, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - No. 1 seed Bethel (Ind.) sank 5-of-8 free throws with less than a minute remaining in the game to put the Lady Pilots over Dakota State (21-11), 70-67 in the second round of the17^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Bethel (31-3) rode a strong first half from senior guard Natalie Young (10 points) to take a 30-28 advantage into the halftime break.

In a tight game where neither team could distance themselves from each other. The game featured 16 times when the score was tied as well as the lead changing hands 10 times. With under a minute remaining in the second half Dakota State's Megan Swecker went to the line with the Lady T's trailing by two at 67-65. Swecker would hit both of the free-throws but Dakota State would not score again.

Bethel's Young would then hit one of two free throws that proved to be the difference. The Lady Pilots would add two more free throws and Dakota State's desperation three point attempt at the buzzer fell harmlessly to the floor.

Young led Lady Pilots with 34 points on 12-of-34 shooting from the field, while senior guard Nora Didrick added 11 points for Bethel.

Dakota State (21-11) was led offensively by senior Laura Tewes with 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting from the field. Also in double digits for the Lady T's were Jessica VanLoy (14) and Megan Swecker (10).

Bethel advances to the quarter finals to take on the winner of the Hastings (Neb.) vs. Benedictine (Kan.) at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday.