March 15, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - Kristin Kunzman sank the game-winning basket as time expired to give fifth-seeded University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) a 68-67 victory over fourth-seeded Cumberland University (Tenn.) in the opening game of the 26th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena.

With five seconds to play, the Lady Patriots broke out of a timeout to set up a pass from Tenille Cann from the right side to Kunzman on the right block, who released the ball as the final tenth of a second ticked off the clock.

UC led the entire game after Cumberland scored the opening basket, stretching their lead to 16 points (38-22) with 3:15 to play in the first half and carried a 44-33 lead into halftime.

The Lady Bulldogs of Cumberland shot 43 percent in the second half, opening the period with a 6-2 run to cut the Lady Patriots lead to five points (46-39). Despite UC growing their lead back to 13 points (54-41) with 13 minutes to play, Cumberland (Tenn.) stretched a 21-10 run over the next 12 minutes, giving the Lady Bulldogs their first lead of the second half on a 3-point basket by Isabelli Cunico with 43 seconds to play.

Kristen Roberson regained the lead for UC on a pair of free throws after being followed following by a Cumberland turnover. Ashley Cross sank a running jumper in the paint with 5.8 seconds to play to go up 67-66, forcing a timeout by Cumberlands (Ky.).

Cumberlands (Ky.) was led by Becky Sumner's 18 points on 5-for-10 shooting from the floor. Cann finished with 12 points and four assists, while Jennifer Nagy had 10. Lissi Fuller led the Lady Patriots with 10 rebounds.

Cumberland (Tenn.) was led by Renae Williams' 15 points, followed by a double-double 14 points and 12 rebounds for C'Kala Humes. Mariel Ruis added 10 points.

Cumberlands (Ky.) improves to 21-8 on the season and advances to the second round on Friday at 12:30 p.m. They will face the winner of the first round game between top-seeded Vanguard University and eighth-seeded Texas College.