March 18, 2006

JACKSON, Tenn. - Sixth-seeded Lubbock Christian University (Tenn.) upset top-seeded Trevecca Nazarene University 62-51 to advance to the semifinals of the 26th annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship at Oman Arena.

Trevecca took an early 10-3 lead in the first six minutes of play, growing it to as high as eight points, 16-8, with eight minutes to play. Sierra Wilcox hit a 3-point basket with six minutes left to cut the Lady Trojans lead to 16-13, but TNU built it back up to seven points in the next minute.

Lubbock scored nine unanswered points in the final four minutes of the half, as Wilcox hit another 3-pointer followed by a pair of free throws to tie it at 20 with 1:58 to go. Both teams had looks at the basket in the final minute and a half, but it looked like they would enter halftime in a tie, until Casie Legg scored the go-ahead basket with six seconds left to take a 22-20 lead into the break.

Jackie Weaver gave Trevecca a one point lead, 25-24, early in the second half on a free throw, but that would be the Lady Trojans only lead of the half. The game remained close with Lubbock holding a two possession lead for most of the second half, until Legg and Wilcox combined for 13 points in the final two and a half minutes for the 11-point win.

Wilcox went 4-of-7 from 3-point range and 7-of-8 from the free throw line to lead Lubbock Christian with 19 points. Legg followed with 13 points.

Trevecca Nazarene was led by Weaver's double-double 13 points and 10 rebounds, along with a tournament best seven blocks. Jana Reed followed with 12 points.

Lubbock Christian continues their best season in school history to improve to 22-11 on the season and advance to their first-ever semifinal appearance Monday at 6 p.m. to face top-seeded Vanguard University (Calif.).

The Lions last appearance in the semifinals came in 2003 with a 62-49 loss to Southern Oklahoma University (Okla), who went on to win the championship.