March 15, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - The third day of the 17^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa, saw much closer action than was seen in the first two days of the tournament.

The day opened as third seed Concordia University, Nebraska was able to hold off Cornerstone and earn a hard fought victory, 82-72. Libby Hirssig led the Concordia offense netting the double-double of 19 points and 18 rebounds, while junior Whitney Stichka added 19 points and junior Melissa Tinkham chipped in with 17 points. Concordia advances to the quarter finals to take on the Ozarks (Mo.).

No. 1 seed College of the Ozarks (Mo.) twice lost double digit leads before pulling away for 82-71 victory over MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.). The majority of the first half was played with the teams in tight contention but Ozarks used a quick strike offense to jump out to a late 10 point lead heading into halftime, 44-34. MidAmerica's halftime adjustments worked well as the Lady Pioneers were able to cut slightly into the Ozarks lead. The Bobcats depth and skill proved to be too much for MidAmerica as MidAmerica was never able to close the gap.

No. 1 seed Bethel (Ind.) sank 5-of-8 free throws with less than a minute remaining in the game to put the Lady Pilots over Dakota State (21-11), 70-67. In a tight game where neither team could distance themselves from each other. The game featured 16 times when the score was tied as well as the lead changing hands 10 times. With under a minute remaining in the second half Dakota State's Megan Swecker went to the line with the Lady T's trailing by two at 67-65. Swecker would hit both of the free-throws but Dakota State would not score again. Bethel advances to the quarter finals to take on Hastings (Neb.).

Second seed Hastings College (Neb.) finished strong in a 70-62 victory over Benedictine (Kan.). Benedictine (29-6) could not find an offensive rhythm hitting on only 33 percent of their three-point shots (5-of-15) and were out muscled on the boards by the Broncos. Hastings held a distinct advantage in the rebound margin (36-25).

Seventh seed Minot State (N.D.) continued their amazing run with a double overtime victory over six seed William Jewell (Mo.), 94-93. Minot (21-10) looked to be cruising, jumping out to a 24 point lead before William Jewell found their offensive rhythm. William Jewell (23-10) made the last :06 of the second overtime interesting when sophomore Hillary Adams was fouled on a desperation three-point attempt. Adams drained all three free-throws. Following the final free-throw, freshman Whitney Loftesnes was fouled before the Beavers could inbound the basketball. Loftesnes then missed on both free-throw attempts giving William Jewell life. Hillary Adams drove the length of the court but a Beaver defender was able to get a hand on the ball and Adams was never able to attempt a final shot. Minot advances to take on Morningside (Iowa).

No. 1 seed Morningside (Iowa) weather a late surge by fourth seed, St. Ambrose to hold on for a 70-62. Morningside (32-3) jumped out to a quick 14 point lead, fueled by 14 to four run to take command. The Mustangs then seemed to start sleep walking on the Queen Bee's, as St. Ambrose (29-6) began to make a comeback climbing to within six points, 30-24, at the halftime intermission. Roni Miller led the Mustang offense with 18 points along with three other Morningside players in double digits: Kristi Tighe (13), Dani Gass (13), and Autumn Bartel (12).

No. 1 seed Northwestern (Iowa) came out strong and cruised to an 86-57 victory over Cornerstone (Mich.). Senior Debbie Remmerde scored 30 points in the first half alone, going 10-for-12 from the field and 6-for-7 from three point land as the Red Raiders already had a 49-20 halftime lead. Remmerde finished the game with 36 points on 11-of-15 shooting. Her performance was one that was one of the All-Time scoring out puts in tournament history. Remmerde also moved up to third All-Time in career points in the tournament with 258 in just eight career games. Northwestern will advance to take on Black Hills State (S.D).

No. 3 seed Dakota State (S.D.) surged to a large second half lead en route to a 63-48 over Eastern Oregon in the final game of the day. Black Hills State (28-5) used a late first half surge to distance themselves from the Mountaineers to take a 30-21 halftime lead. Eastern Oregon could not find an answer for Dakota States inside presence as the Yellow Jackets amassed 38 points in the paint on the evening. Black Hills was led offensively by Lacey Haughian with 21 points on 9-of-16 shooting from the field while Snjezana Dojcinovic and Katelynn Lamb each added 10 points apiece for the Yellow Jackets.

Saturday Quarterfinal Games:

1:00 p.m. - No. 1 Ozarks (Mo.)  vs. No. 3 Concordia (Neb.)
3:00 p.m. - No. 1 Bethel (Ind.)  vs. No. 2 Hastings (Neb.)
6:00 p.m. -  No. 1 Morningside (Iowa) vs. No. 7 Minot State (N.D.)
8:00 p.m. - No. 1 Northwestern (Iowa) vs. No. 3 Black Hills (S.D.)

Friday Second Round Scores:
8:30 a.m. - No. 3 Concordia (Neb.) def. No. 2 Davenport (Mich.), 82-72
10:15 a.m. - No. 1 Bethel (Ind.) def. No. 4 Dakota State (S.D.), 70-67
Noon - No. 1 Ozarks (Mo.) def. No. 5 MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.), 82-71
2:15 p.m. - No. 2 Hastings (Neb.) def. No. 3 Benedictine (Kan.), 70-62
4:00 p.m. - No. 7 Minot State (N.D.) def. No. 6 William Jewell (Mo.), 94-93 (2 OT)
5:45 p.m. - No. 1 Morningside (Iowa) def. No. 4 St. Ambrose (Iowa), 70-62
7:30 p.m. - No. 1 Northwestern (Iowa) def. No. 5 Cornerstone (Mich.), 86-57
9:15 p.m. - No. 3 Black Hills (S.D.) def. No. 7 Eastern Oregon, 63-48