March 15, 2008
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - No. 2 seed Hastings College (Neb.) gained some much needed momentum defeating Bethel College (Ind.), 75-64 in the quarterfinals of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
Hastings (30-5) used a 14-4 run during a three minute span in the first half to gain a 31-21 lead they would not relinquish. During which the Broncos got three pointers from Sarah Cambridge, Kay Broekemeier, and Heather McKeon. Hastings shored up their offense from the second round giving Bethel only five turnovers en route to a 36-30 halftime lead. The Broncos used stingy defense in the second half, not allowing the Lady Pilots to ever close the gap between the two teams.
Bethel (31-4) struggled from long range hitting on only 31 percent (6-of-19) from three point land, as well as shooting woes Bethel struggled to hang on to the possession of the basketball turning the ball over 18 times in the contest leading to 16 Hastings points. Hastings also accumulated points from the free throw line, making 68 percent (11-of-16) of their free chances.
Hastings was led offensively by Brokemeir with 17 points on 5-of-6 shooting from three-point land, while three other starters each went for double digits: Rachel Isherwood (14), Haruka Yamashita (12), and Heather McKeon (11).
Bethel was led offensively by Natalie Young with 18 points on 7-of-14 shooting from the field, while also going for double digits in points were: Hannah Richards (13) and Paula Stout (11).
Hastings advances to the semifinals to take on the winner College of the Ozarks (Mo.) at 6:00 p.m. on Monday. This is Hastings first time in the semifinals since 2006 when they defeated Northwestern (Iowa) 63-50 en route to the 2006 National Championship.
Bethel ends the season in the quarterfinals for the second year in a row. In 2007 they lost in the quarterfinals to Ozarks (Mo.) 72-50.
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