March 15, 2007

JACKSON, Tenn. - Second-seeded Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) built up a 25-point first half lead and led by as many as 30 points in the second half in an 86-66 victory over Columbia (Mo.) as first-round play continued on the second day of the 27th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Championship at Oman Arena.

Lewis-Clark State took a 37-12 lead through the first 15 minutes of play before Columbia tallied 11 straight points to cut the margin to 14 points at 37-23 on a Whitney Davis three-pointer with 3:15 remaining in the half. Less than four minutes into the second half, Columbia had closed to within 11 points at 47-36. Lewis-Clark State responded with a 30-11 run over the next 11 minutes to take its largest lead of the game, a 30-point margin at 77-47 with 4:43 left in the game.

Seven players scored at least six points in Lewis-Clark State's balanced offensive attack, with Janeen Nelson recording a game-high 17 points and Ashley Baker and Terri Wittmer adding 15 points apiece. Mandy Troutt collected eight points and a team-high nine rebounds off the bench for the Warriors.

Columbia was led by LeAnn Fossum's 16-point, 11-rebound double-double, while Whitney Widaman added 14 points. Davis finished with nine points and a game-high seven assists.

With the win, Lewis-Clark State improves to 30-2 overall and advances to a second-round matchup with Cumberland tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. Columbia finishes the year with a 26-7 overall record.