March 18, 2006

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

In round one the No. 6 seeds wiped out the No. 3 seeds and looked to make history in round two by putting a sixth-seeded team into the quarterfinals for the first time since the current bracket system was established in 2003. Sixth-seeded Oklahoma Baptist University was the first to succeed at the task, as they defeated the University of Montana-Western 64-53 to advance to the quarters and meet No. 1 Vanguard University (Calif.), who held off the University of the Cumberlands (Ky.) 80-75 to stay alive.

Later in the morning session, Lubbock Christian University (Texas) stunned Houston Baptist University in a Texas showdown. The Lady Chaps edged the Huskies 62-56, as Sirerra Wilcox scored the go-ahead basket (58-56) with 16 seconds to play to put another sixth-seeded team into the quarterfinals to meet No. 1 Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.), who defeated Lewis-Clark State College (Idaho) 70-54.

With two 1-6 combinations set for Saturday already, sixth-seeded Montana State-University was hoping to become the third No. 6 to advance, but fell short to The Master's College (Calif.) 67-62, as the Lady Mustangs overcame a seven point deficit in the final five minute to take a 60-58 lead with three minutes to play and hold on at the free throw line for the victory. They advance to the next round to face Freed-Hardeman University (Tenn.), who defeated the University of Mobile (Ala.) 71-56. The game creates a rematch for the Lady Lions, as they suffered their first loss of the season to the Lady Mustangs, 71-68, in Jackson at the Rotary Classic play at Union University on November 17, 2005.

In the night caps, defending champion Union University held off sixth-seeded Saint Xavier University (Ill.) 92-69, after a first half threat that had the game tied 38-38 at the half. Union advances to meet Oklahoma City University, who was led by Mariam Sy's tournament high 36 points and 19 rebounds to a 92-84 victory over Azusa Pacific University (Calif.). Union lost at Oklahoma City on February 8 by a score of 66-63 in the regular season.

The 32-team, single elimination tournament continues Saturday, March 18, with the quarterfinal round beginning at 2 p.m. Monday will feature the semifinal round, while the championship game will be played Tuesday, March 21 at 6 p.m. and televised live nationally on CSTV.