JACKSON, Miss. (Feb. 26) -- Led by junior AnnaRoane's 17 points, the Warriors' bench out-scored the Tigers' bench 40-11 to send Hendrix College to its first ever Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference (SCAC) Championship game with a 77-67 victory Saturday at the Hanger Dome.
Hendrix, who snapped an 0-3 record in SCAC Semifinal games, hit 18-of-21 free throws in the second half including 14-of-16 in the final six minutes as the Warriors improve to 17-10 on the season and 5-8 in SCAC tourney action
#1 West Hendrix had five players score in double figures led by Roane who had two assists to go along with 4-for-8 shooting from behind the arc. Senior Christina Byler added 13 points and seven rebounds, while senior Wyvonne Hawkins and junior Caty Hensy scored 10 points apiece. Junior Katy Ashley-Pauley tallied 11 points and three assists. First year Jamie Tate led the team with nine boards.
The Warriors out-rebounding Southwestern 42-35 including a 14-8 advantage on the offensive end. Hendrix limited its turnovers to just 15 giveaways.
Both teams battled through 10 lead changes and six ties, including the Warriors' final lead change on a pair of free throws from junior Jordan Henderson with 5:20 left in regulation. Neither team led by more than seven points in the first half and Hendrix owned the largest lead of the game, 11 points, on two occasions early in the second half.
Hendrix will play for a birth to the NCAA Division III National Tournament on Sunday against #1 East DePauw University. Tomorrow's championship game tips off at 12 p.m. CST from the Hanger Dome on the campus of Millsaps College.
The Warriors will look to avenge their regular season loss at DePauw, 85-68, on Jan. 16. Hendrix is 2-21 all-time against DePauw and the Tigers took a 70-52 win over the Warriors in their last tourney meeting (SCAC Quarterfinals Friday, Feb. 27, 2009).
After the game SCAC Director of Communications, Russell Kramer, caught up with both head coaches along with junior guard Anna Roane of Hendrix.
To listen to junior guard Anna Roane of Hendrix, click here.
To listen to to Hendrix head coach Emily Cummins, click here.
To listen to head coach Kerri Brinkoeter of Southwestern, click here.
For more information on Hendrix Athletics please visit www.hendrixwarriors.com or contact Brian Rejer, Sports Information Director, at (501) 450-1426. Also, be sure to follow the Warriors on Twitter by checking out @Warrior_SID.
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