March 21, 2008

JACKSON, Tenn. - Carroll (Mont.) College, a four-seed in the 28^th Annual NAIA DI Women's Basketball National Championships, posted a 62-53 win over No. 8 seed Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) University.  This win for Carroll advances the Fighting Saints into un-chartered territory as they get set to play in the team's first national tournament quarterfinal.

 

Carroll (27-5) jumped up on Harris-Stowe State 3-0 in the early going thanks to a three pointer from Danielle Maloney.  However, the Hornets answered with an 11-0 run to take an 11-3 lead, just over three minutes into the game.  The Fighting Saints came back with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to two points.  The teams swapped baskets over the next several minutes, until Carroll claimed the lead for good following a second straight three pointer from Maloney, her third of the half.  The Fighting Saints now led 19-17 with 7:46 left in the half.  Carroll closed out the half, leading 26-22, thanks to 43-percent shooting (6-14) from behind the arc.

 

The second half saw Carroll get the lead up to as many as 11 points on two occasions, the last coming 59-48 with 1:49 left in the game.  The Fighting Saints walked away with the 62-53 win.

 

Despite a game-high 24 points from Harris-Stowe State's Chanel Ross, the Hornets could only get as close as five points in the second half.  They end their season with a 23-10 record after pulling off the first round upset of No. 1 seeded Oklahoma City for their first ever national tournament win.

 

Carroll was led by Danielle Maloney with 19 points, including 3-of-7 shooting from behind the arc.  Jolene Fuzesy and Elly Bruursema each added 11 points. 

 

Harris-Stowe State saw Sheri Jones add 12 points to go with Ross's 24.

 

Carroll advances to play the winner of the Lambuth (Tenn.)/Vanguard (Calif.) game on Saturday at 4:00 pm in the quarterfinals.

 

  

NAIA

A leader in the development of student-athletes, the NAIA is committed to changing the culture of sport through Champions of Character. Founded in 1937, the NAIA continues to be a pioneer in implementing exceptional standards for academics, diversity, and character. Today, the NAIA sponsors 23 collegiate championships in 13 sports for its nearly 300 member institutions throughout the United States and Canada. To learn more about the NAIA visit www.naia.org.