March 16, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - Top-Seeded Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.) defeated eighth-seeded McKendree College (Ill.) 66-49 to advance to the second round of the 26th annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena.

McKendree College's largest lead of the night was four points (8-4) with 14:40 to play in the first half, before Freed-Hardeman chipped away at the Bearcats to take a 13-12 lead on Julie Hayes basket with 6:42 in the half. FHU went on to grow their lead and take a 26-16 advantage into the half.

Emily Hart scored 15 points and grabbed six rebounds in the second half for McKendree, but it was not enough to pull even with the Lady Lions, as the closest the Bearcats came was 35-31 on a Hart free throw with 12:40 to play in the game.

Ashlee Robertson led FHU with 16 points, while Kera Bergeron and Stacy Myers each had 14. Julie Hayes followed with a double-double 10 points and 10 rebounds.

McKendree was led by Hart's double-double 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Katie Haseider followed with 10 points.

Freed-Hardeman improves to 31-2 on the season and advances to the second round on Friday at 6:15 p.m. to face fifth-seeded Mobile University (Ala.) (31-2).