Carroll (Mont.) Edges Westmont (Calif.) 61-59 in First Round Matchup :: The Game Featured 11 Ties and 13 Lead Changes

March 19, 2008

JACKSON, Tenn. - In a back and forth first round battle, Carroll (Mont.) College defeated Westmont (Calif.) College 61-59 at the 2008 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Tournament. The game featured 11 ties and 13 lead changes before Carroll rallied for the last time inside four minutes remaining to take the lead for good.

The first nine minutes of the game saw the team swap baskets with neither team taking a lead larger than five points. Carroll (26-5) slowly edged out to an eight point lead, 16-8, with 10:57 left in the half. Westmont (21-9) rallied back to tie the game for the third time at 28-28 with just 1:53 left in the first half. Carroll's Hannah Heidenreich sank a basket with 57 seconds left put the Fighting Saints up 30-28 at the half.

The second half started with Westmont senior Stephanie Anderson tying the game 30-30. Over the next five minutes, both teams swapped baskets, with the lead swapping each time as well. Westmont made their best run of the game with a 5-0 clip to take a 51-46 lead with 7:23 left to play. Carroll responded to tie the game for the 10^th time at 54-54 on a three-pointer from Elly Bruursema. Westmont lead briefly, 57-56, with 4:05 left to play, but a three pointer from Carroll's Caitlin Courchaine put the Fighting Saints back up by two. Westmont tied the game at 59-59 on a field goal from Ali Mooty with 3:12 left. That proved to be the final field goal of the game. Carroll made 2-of-4 free throws down the stretch and held Westmont scoreless for the final 3:12 to earn the 61-59 win.

Carroll was led by Jolene Fuzesy with a game-high 16 points. Elly Bruursema added 13 points and Danielle Maloney posted 10 points.

Westmont's Amber Stevens paced the Warriors with 15 points. Stephanie Anderson added 14 points, while Angel Blanco scored 11 points.

Carroll advances to the second round and will face Harris-Stowe (Mo.) State College on Friday at 10:45 pm.

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.