JACKSON, Tenn. - 3/19/2008 - Contact: Joe Reinsch/Steven Aldridge, Media Coordinators (901) 734-1482, jreinsch@apu.edu | saldridg@uu.edu
Perfect Season Continues Through 33 Games For Three-Time NAIA Champion
Seven players reached double figures in scoring to lead No. 1-seeded Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ (Tenn.) University past University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma, 95-66, in an opening-round contest at the 28th Annual NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship.
Junior center Josephine Owino led the way with a team-high 17 points to go with a game-high 10 rebounds, and sophomore guard Kaitlin Dudley added 15 points for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ, which is making its NAIA-record 17th consecutive national tournament appearance. The victory also gives Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ its 54th win in its past 56 games overall, as well as its 14th win in its past 15 national tournament contests.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ used a 23-7 run to erase an early 10-7 first-half deficit and take a 33-17 lead with 7:44 to play in the first half, and Science & Arts never got closer than 15 points the rest of the way. Another 12-3 run late in the second half gave Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ its largest lead of the game at 88-55 with just over three minutes remaining in the game.
Science & Arts was led by junior forward Yesi Castillo’s team-highs of 23 points and nine rebounds, and senior guard Kartesha Rambo was the only other player in double figures with 11 points. The Drovers were held to a 35 percent (24-for-68) shooting effort from the field and they committed 19 turnovers compared to just eight for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ took advantage of 19 Science & Arts turnovers for a 23-2 advantage in points off turnovers. Freshman guard Kayla Hudson scored 10 points and had a game-high seven assists. Junior guard Jessica Graves and freshman forward Zeinab Chan each tallied 13 points off the bench for Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ.
Âé¶¹ÊÓÆµ improves to 33-0 on the season, advancing to a second-round matchup with The Master’s on Friday at 8 p.m. Science & Arts drops to a final overall record of 17-15.
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| Steven Aldridge Phone: (731) 661-5027 |
Fax: (731) 661-5182 |