March 13, 2008
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - No. 4 seed St. Ambrose University picked up first round victory over fifth seed Southern Oregon University, 77-58, in the final game of day one of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
St. Ambrose pulled away in the second half after leading just 35-28 at intermission. Defensively the Queen Bees held Southern Oregon to just 30 percent shooting from the field, including a 28 percent performance in the first half. For the game both teams had 70 shot attempts each, which led to a multitude of rebounds. Southern Oregon grabbed 63 boards while St. Ambrose finished with 50 rebounds.
Ali Dolphin paced the St. Ambrose Queen Bees with a game-high 30 points and 14 rebounds. She was one of just two players in double digits, the other was Jenny Clark. Clark chipped in with 21 points. No other player had more than seven points for the Queen Bees.
No one reached double figures in points for Southern Oregon, but a pair of players grabbed 10 or more rebounds. Jackie Speer finished with 13 boards while Ashley Baker grabbed 10 boards. Southern Oregon struggled from the field, especially from long range, converting on just 2-of-22 three points attempts.
St. Ambrose (Iowa) advances to the second-round game at 5:45 p.m. and will face top seeded Morningside College.
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