IWU Bounces Defending Champs
03/10/07
By ADAM FISHER, Chronicle
Tribune
acfisher@marion.gannett.com
SIOUX CITY, Iowa - Indiana Wesleyan remained
undefeated on the season and denied defending
national champion Hastings College (Neb.) a chance at
repeating with a 61-52 win on Saturday in the
quarterfinals of the 16th annual NAIA Division II
Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson
Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
It took over three minutes for either team to get on the scoreboard as Hastings (28-7) struck first on a three by Kay Broekemeier. Indiana Wesleyan (36-0) took over the lead and extended it to eight before. Hastings came back to pull within a bucket (21-19) with 2:37 remaining in the half, but the Wildcats closed out the frame on a 11-1 run to take a 10 point advantage at the break.
The Broncos never led in the second half, but did cut the lead to one, 49-48, with 6:00 minutes left. Indiana Wesleyan answered with a triple by Liz Howerth to push the cushion back to four. The Wildcats lead never dipped below the four-point mark the rest of the way. Sarah McGill put the game out of reach, banking in a three to beat the shot clock, to make it 59-52. Hastings, who saw their seven-game tournament win streak snapped, were paced by Hruka Yamashito who finished with 17 points, including a pair of threes. Stacy Svoboda wrapped up her Bronco career with a double double (14 points, 14 rebounds). Svoboda had 38 rebounds during the tournament. Lindsey Ducey was the only other Bronco in double figures with 10.
The Wildcats had four players in double figures, led by Howerth who finished with a game-high 19 points. Three players had added 10 points for Indiana Wesleyan; Lisa Thompson, Stephanie Culp and McGill. As a team the Wildcats shot 45.8 percent from the field, including seven three point field goals.
With the win Indiana Wesleyan tied Concordia (Neb.) for the second most consecutive victories in a season in NAIA Women's Division II history. The record (37) is held by Claflin (S.C.) and was set in 1987-88.
The Wildcats will take on the winner the Taylor vs. Cedarville contest in the semifinals on Monday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m.
acfisher@marion.gannett.com
It took over three minutes for either team to get on the scoreboard as Hastings (28-7) struck first on a three by Kay Broekemeier. Indiana Wesleyan (36-0) took over the lead and extended it to eight before. Hastings came back to pull within a bucket (21-19) with 2:37 remaining in the half, but the Wildcats closed out the frame on a 11-1 run to take a 10 point advantage at the break.
The Broncos never led in the second half, but did cut the lead to one, 49-48, with 6:00 minutes left. Indiana Wesleyan answered with a triple by Liz Howerth to push the cushion back to four. The Wildcats lead never dipped below the four-point mark the rest of the way. Sarah McGill put the game out of reach, banking in a three to beat the shot clock, to make it 59-52. Hastings, who saw their seven-game tournament win streak snapped, were paced by Hruka Yamashito who finished with 17 points, including a pair of threes. Stacy Svoboda wrapped up her Bronco career with a double double (14 points, 14 rebounds). Svoboda had 38 rebounds during the tournament. Lindsey Ducey was the only other Bronco in double figures with 10.
The Wildcats had four players in double figures, led by Howerth who finished with a game-high 19 points. Three players had added 10 points for Indiana Wesleyan; Lisa Thompson, Stephanie Culp and McGill. As a team the Wildcats shot 45.8 percent from the field, including seven three point field goals.
With the win Indiana Wesleyan tied Concordia (Neb.) for the second most consecutive victories in a season in NAIA Women's Division II history. The record (37) is held by Claflin (S.C.) and was set in 1987-88.
The Wildcats will take on the winner the Taylor vs. Cedarville contest in the semifinals on Monday, March 12 at 6:00 p.m.