The #15 Millikin women's basketball team defeated Emory University 76-70 to advance to the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament Lexington, Ky. Regional on March 3 at Transylvania University.

Millikin got off to a slow start and trailed 11-5 late in the first quarter. The Big Blue defense then got things rolling with an Abby Ratsch steal and layup and free throw tying the game at 13-13. The Big Blue trailed 17-15 at the end of the first quarter. Millikin took three charges that helped turn the tide. Bailey Coffman took a charge and then hit a free throw line jumper to tie the game at 19-19. Elyce Knudsen then hit a layup to put Millikin up 21-19. Sarah Isaf followed with a three-pointer to make it 24-21 Millikin. The Big Blue would lead the rest of the half and go into the locker room up 43-33. Coffman scored 15 points in the first half with Knudsen adding 13. Millikin forced Emory into 14 first half turnovers and scored 13 points off the turnovers.

Emory started the second half with a 10-0 turn and tied the game at 43-43 on a basket by Daniella Aronsky with 5:45 left in the third quarter. Knudsen then answered for Millikin with two baskets to give the Big Blue the lead for good at 47-43. After another basket from Aronsky, Knudsen would hit a three-pointer and it was 50-45 Millikin. Millikin led 56-50 at the end of three quarters.

Both teams would score 20 points in the final quarter allowing Millikin improve to 23-1 when leading after three quarters.

Knudsen finished as Millikin's top scorer with 27 points with Coffman adding 17. Sarah Ness had a big game off the Millikin bench with 10 points and five rebounds. Miranda Fox had a team high seven rebounds and Ratsch added six.

Aronsky led Emory with 19 points followed by Morgan Laudick with 13.

Millikin shot 42 percent (28-66) from the field while the Eagles made 29-71 (41 percent). Emory won the rebounding battle 44-41. Millikin forced Emory into 17 turnovers while committing 14.

Millikin is now 24-4 on the year while Emory goes to 17-8. The Big Blue will play in the Regional Championship game on Saturday, March 4 at 7:45 p.m. ET (6:45 CT) against the winner of Transylvania and Rhodes College.