March 19, 2008

JACKSON, Tenn. - Third-seeded Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) College picked up its third consecutive first-round victory with a 69-49 win over sixth-seeded McKendree (Ill.) University, wrapping up the first day of first-round action at the 28^th Annual NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship.

 

Lewis-Clark State led from wire-to-wire, taking a 16-5 lead in the game's first six minutes and out-scoring McKendree 16-6 over the next 13 minutes for a 32-11 lead heading into the final minute of the first half. McKendree made just six-of-26 first-half field goal attempts and trailed at the half by a 34-15 margin.

 

Freshman guard Katie Fullerton hit McKendree's first three-pointer of the game with 10:52 left in the game, sparking an 8-0 run that cut the Lewis-Clark State lead to eight at 47-39 with 9:16 remaining. After the teams traded baskets, Lewis-Clark State's senior guard Jade Fulbright drilled a three-pointer that started a 13-1 run that pushed the lead back to 20 points at 62-42, and the Warriors led by at least 18 points over the final five minutes of the game.

 

Senior center Mandy Troutt led all scorers with 19 points, and she also posted a game-high nine rebounds. Fulbright finished with 18 points, and senior guard Katie Hart dished out a game-high eight assists for Lewis-Clark State.

 

McKendree was led by Fullerton's 11-point contribution off the bench, and junior forward Emily Best and junior forward Julie Garrison added 10 points apiece for the Bearcats, who dropped to 24-9 overall and 0-8 all-time in national tournament play.

 

Lewis-Clark State improved to 28-4 on the season, and the Warriors advanced to the second round for the third consecutive season, where they will take on seventh-seeded Lindsey Wilson in the final second-round contest on Friday at 9:45 p.m.