March 16, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - Second-seeded Union University (Tenn.) defeated seventh-seeded John Brown University 76-57 to advance to the second round of the 26th annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena.

John Brown attacked out of the gate to take an 11-4 lead six minutes into the game, but the Lady Bulldogs bit back to score seven unanswered points to tie it at 11 each with 12 minutes to play in the opening half. John Brown managed to maintain a small lead until DJ Sissoko scored on an Ena Daniels assist with 7:20 to play in the half to give Union their first lead of the night 19-18. Union went on to take a 38-20 lead into halftime to cap a 23-5 run to end the half.

Union's first half shooting performance of 63 percent from the floor (17-of-27) passed the previous best in this year's tournament for percentage in a half set in the previous game by Oklahoma City (58.6 percent). The Lady Bulldogs shot 53 percent in the second half for the win.

Union was led by Ena Daniels' 14 points, including 7-of-11 from the floor, and six assists. Meredith Richardson followed with 13 points, while Josephine Owino had 10.

John Brown was led by Kendra McCormick's 18 points and nine rebounds, while Lesli Fanning added 13 points.

This is Union's 15th consecutive season to advance beyond the opening round of the tournament.

Union improves to 27-6 on the season and advances to the second round game on Friday at 8 p.m. to face the winner of third-seeded Carroll College (Mont.) and sixth-seeded Saint Xavier (Ill.).