March 13, 2008

SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - No. 3 seed Black Hills State University (S.D.) squeaked out a 63-61 victory of the six seed, University of Rio Grand in the opening round of the17^th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.

Black Hills State (28-5) used a 13 to four run in the last 5:58 to take a nine point lead into halftime intermission, 30-21. The Yellow Jackets run continued into the second half as their lead ballooned to as many as 14 before the Redswomen made a late push.

Rio Grande chipped away at the Black Hills lead and was able to cut the deficit to two points with :25 remaining. After a Redswomen foul the Yellow Jackets missed on the front end of a double bonus, giving Rio Grande a final offensive possession. The Redwomen were able to get an open shot attempt that would have tied the game with :02 remaining but the shot fell short ending any comeback hopes.

Black Hills State was led offensively by senior Lacey Haughian with 24 points, while senior Snjezana Dojcinovic added a double-double of 18 points and 12 rebounds for the Yellow Jackets.

Rio Grande (23-8) was paced by junior Sarah Drabinski with 14 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field for the Redswomen.

Black Hills State advances to the second round to take on the winner of the Cardinal Stritch (Wisc.) vs. Eastern Oregon at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.