March 14, 2007

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sixth-seeded Houston Baptist University (Texas) posted a 64-63 upset over third-seeded Montana-Western in the first round of the 27th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Oman Arena.

Dominique Thomas made the game-winner with 20 seconds to play, and Montana-Western's three-point attempt in the closing seconds fell short to give Houston Baptist its seventh consecutive NAIA Tournament first-round victory. After taking a 35-32 halftime lead, Houston Baptist led throughout the second half until Montana-Western took a one-point lead at 61-60 on a Megan Schmitz three-pointer with 45 seconds remaining in the game.

The lead changed hands twice more before the game-winner, as Thomas knocked down a pair of free throws for Houston Baptist with 36 seconds left before Montana-Western answered with two Crystal Kain free throws with 29 seconds to play to give the Bulldogs the 63-62 lead.

Thomas finished the game with six points, and Houston Baptist was led by Jasmine Irving's 17 points. Velencia Kuykendall added 12 points, while Kathy Hill contributed 10 points off the bench, including a pair of three-pointers.

Katherine Sunwall scored a game-high 22 points for Montana-Western, and she also collected a game-high 15 rebounds, including nine on the offensive glass. Becky O'Neil also posted a double-double, finishing with 18 point and 14 rebounds, while Kain added 15 points for the Bulldogs.

With the win, Houston Baptist improves to 26-6 on the season and advances to the second round, where they will face the winner of tonight's Lubbock Christian/McKendree matchup on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Montana-Western drops to 26-6 to wrap up the season.