|
Keisha Gordon and George Fox are making another deep March run. |
A pair of bears barreled their way into the Elite 8 with impressive road victories on Friday night. Unranked George Fox defeated UW-Stevens Point 71-63 in Wisconsin and defending national champion Washington U. dashed past top-ranked Thomas More 72-53.
Arianna Mohsenian hit a 3-pointer on George Fox's first possession and the Bruins never trailed, though UW-Stevens Point stayed close the whole way. The Pointers got as close as 67-63 with 94 seconds left but the Bruins held UW-Stevens Point scoreless the rest of the way. Keisha Gordon, who starred in the 2009 NCAA tournament, led George Fox with 22 points and nine rebounds. Hannah Munger added 17 points and 10 boards.
The defending national champions are also still dancing. Washington U. led Thomas More by one at the half and then pulled away for its third win over a ranked opponent in three NCAA tournament games. Four Bears starters scored double-digits and Kathryn Berger notched a double-double (11 points, 13 rebounds).
Washington U. will get another crack at conference rival Chicago in the Elite 8. The Maroons handled Greensboro 87-61 for their 21st consecutive win. Chicago is 2-0 against Washington U. including a victory over the Bears in the regular season finale.
The other two sectional hosts defended their home court. Amherst defeated Muhlenberg 79-60 to advance to its third straight sectional final. The Lord Jeffs shot 54.5 percent in the first half to build a 23-point lead at the break. They will face Babson, the last undefeated team in Division III basketball and the last unbeaten women's team in the NCAA, after the Beavers beat Bowdoin 61-58 in overtime. Nicki Wurdeman saved the Beavers with a 3-pointer with 21 seconds left in regulation to force overtime. Babson outscored the Polar Bears 5-2 in extra time with all points coming on free throws.
| Andrea Hoover filled up the stat line for Lebanon
Valley. Lebanon Valley athletics photo |
Lebanon Valley used an 18-2 second half run to pull away from William Paterson 83-61. Andrea Hoover finished one rebound and one assist away from a triple-double (25 points, nine rebounds and nine assists).
The Flying Dutchmen will try to slow down Christopher Newport, which edged Kean 80-76 to reach the Elite Eight for the first time. Chelsie Schweers scored 35 points to give her 107 in three NCAA tournament games. She also passed former Clark star Meegan Garrity for second place all-time in Division III scoring.
Illinois Wesleyan held off Coe 77-74 to round out the final eight teams. After the Kohawks took a 67-66 lead, Olivia Lett hit back-to-back three pointers to put the Titans up for good. Lett finished with 28 points and 10 rebounds. Illinois Wesleyan faces George Fox tomorrow.