March 18, 2008
SIOUX CITY, Iowa. - Northwestern (Iowa) used a strong second half to earn a hard fought 82-75 victory over the College of the Ozarks (Mo.) in the finals of the17th annual NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena in Sioux City, Iowa.
Northwestern (35-2) trailed 68-62 with 7:11 remaining in the second half before the Red Raiders used a 15 to two run over a two minute stretch of the second half to take a 77-73 lead with just 2:38 remaining. Senior guard Debbie Remmerde powered the Northwestern offense with 8 points during the stretch, making 6-of-6 free throws.
Ozarks (35-2) was powered on by senior guard Janessa DeMuth who broke the record for most steals in a tournament with 16 in five games. DeMuth powered the Bobcat offense in the first half with six takeaways and 20 points before being held in check by the Red Raider offense in the second half. She managed only four points and two steals in the second frame.
Remmerde led all scorers with 41 points falling just one point short of the all-time, NAIA all-divisions career scoring mark. Remmerde made 11-of-21 field goal attempts, while also making 14-of-14 free throw attempts to lead the Red Raiders. For her efforts Remmerde was named the NAIA Div. II Player of the Year, as well as the tournament MVP.
Seniors Amy Larson and Mandy Carr also contributed for Northwestern with 15 and 12 points respectively.
Ozarks was led offensively by DeMuth who finished with 23 points, while Kayli Combs added 23 points for the Bobcats.
This is Northwestern's second NAIA Div. II National Championship; they won it in 2001 defeating College of Idaho, 77-50. For Ozarks this is the third straight season finishing as the runner up.
|
|
 |
