March 17, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sixth-seeded Lubbock Christian University became the second sixth-seeded team to advance to the quarterfinals with a 62-56 victory over second-seeded Houston Baptist University at the 26th annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena.

The Lady Chaps held HBU scoreless in the final two and a half minutes of play to charge back from a 56-52 deficit to take the lead and seal it at the free throw line. Sierra Wilcox sank a 3-point basket from the right side with 53 seconds left to tie the game at 56-56 after LCU gained possession on a blocked shot by Carolyn Manning. HBU's Velencia Kuykendall had a jumper rim out with 24 seconds left to give possession back to LCU, as Wilcox hit a shot in transition to put the Lady Chaps up 58-56 with 16 seconds to go.

HBU missed a shot with six seconds left to force them to put Lubbock on the free throw line in the final seconds, where they were a perfect 4-for-4.

LCU led for the opening 12 minutes of the game, but Houston Baptist worked to pull ahead by as much as 27-23 with five minutes to play in the first half before Wilcox hit a pair of 3-pointers to give her team a 29-28 lead at the break.

In the second half, Houston Baptist gained the lead out of the break and stayed above for most of the half until Wilcox's 3-pointer tied it in the final minute.

LCU also won the battle of the boards with 48 rebounds to the Huskies' 34.

Lubbock Christian was led by Candace Clenney's double-double 15 points and 10 rebounds, while Wilcox followed with 11. Jordan Hampton collected five assists to help lead the Lady Chaps to 18 assists in the game, the third most collected in this year's tournament thus far.

Houston Baptist was led by Jere' Adams' 24 points, while Sherill Hadrick led the team in rebounding with a game-high 12.

Lubbock Christian improves to 21-11 on the season and advances to their first-ever quarterfinal appearance on Saturday at 4 p.m. to face the winner of top-seeded Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.) and fourth-seeded Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho).