March 16, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - The first round of the 26th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship is complete after eight more games on day two of the tournament at Oman Arena.

The first day opened with the Battle of the Cumberlands, as the fifth-seeded University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) defeated fourth-seeded Cumberland University (Tenn.) at the buzzer 68-67 to become the only Mid-South Conference team to advance to the second round. Cumberlands (Ky.) goes on to play Vanguard University (Calif.) Friday at 12:30 p.m. Vanguard became the first No. 1 seed to advance with their 91-46 victory over first-time tournament team Texas College.

Oklahoma Baptist University started a trend of sixth-seeded victories as they defeated third-seeded Lee University (Tenn.) 67-53 to move on to play second-seeded University of Montana-Western who defeated William Carey 67-51.

Montana State University-Northern kept the Big Sky teams in the tournament as they joined the sixth-seeded club with an 82-68 victory over Oklahoma Christian University. MSUN advances to meet The Master's College, who defeated Auburn University-Montgomery 65-50 in the opening day night cap.

Freed-Hardeman University became the second No. 1 seed to advance after defeating McKendree College 66-49. The Lady Lions move on to face fifth-seeded University of Mobile, who upended fourth-seeded Georgetown College 79-64.

On day two of the opening round, Houston Baptist University squeaked past Lindsey Wilson College 60-57 and keep the No. 2 seeds alive. Lubbock Christian University kept the sixth-seeded teams alive as they stunned third-seeded Point Loma Nazarene University 69-54. The two Longhorn State teams will square off in a Texas shootout in the second game of round two.

Lewis-Clark State College kept the Frontier Conference undefeated as they rolled over Brewton-Parker College 80-63 to move on and face No. 1 seed Trevecca Nazarene University, who defeated first time team Park University 64-51.

Oklahoma City University improved to 31 wins on the season, the most of any team in the tournament, as they defeated first appearance team Missouri Baptist University 78-46. OCU moves on to face Azusa Pacific University, who picked up the second Golden State Athletic Conference victory of the tournament with a 74-62 over Berry College to send the Southern States Athletic Conference teams packing.

Defending national champions Union University fell behind early, but bounced back to roll to a 76-57 victory over John Brown University. They will meet Saint Xavier in the second round after Saint Xavier completed the sixth-seeded sweep over third-seeded teams with a 56-53 victory over Carroll College for their first tournament victory in school history.

The 32-team, single elimination tournament continues Friday, March 17, with the eight-game second round. Saturday features the quarterfinal round, while the semifinal round will begin on Monday, March 20. The championship game will be played Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m. and televised live nationally on CSTV.

First Round Leaders:
Team Scoring Offense
91, Vanguard (Calif.)
82, Montana State-Northern
80, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
79, Mobile (Ala.)
78, Oklahoma City

Team Scoring Defense
46, Oklahoma City
46, Vanguard (Calif.)
49, Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.)
50, The Master's (Calif.)
51, Montana-Western
51, Trevecca Nazarene (Tenn.)

Individual Scoring
30, Aundrea Morrison (Lewis-Clark State)
28, Mariam Sy (Oklahoma City)
27, Jaci Heny (Montana State-Northern)
24, Lauren Decker (Oklahoma Christian)
23, LaTrice McMichel (Missouri Baptist)
23, Jackie Weaver (Trevecca Nazarene)

Rebounding
19, Deana Duncan (Berry)
13, Dilenny Castillo (Oklahoma Baptist)
13, Emili Woody (Carroll)
12, nine players

Assists
7, Alicia Baer (John Brown)
7, Camille Gardner (Montana State-Northern)
7, Tiari Goold (Vanguard)
6, Ena Daniels (Union)
5, six players

Steals
6, Mica DeHoog (Point Loma Nazarene)
6, Sarah Leathers (Azusa Pacific)
5, Jade Fulbright (Lewis-Clark State)
5, Tiffany Reid (Lindsey Wilson)
4, mulitple players

Blocks
7, Erica Delley (Texas College)
4, Sherill Hadrick (Houston Baptist)
4, Jackie Weaver (Trevecca Nazarene)
3, Katie Cummings (Park)
3, Destiny Dulin (Auburn-Montgomery)
3, Mariam Sy (Oklahoma City)