(WALLA WALLA, Wash.) - The top-ranked Thomas More College women's basketball team defeated No. 17-ranked University of Texas-Tyler, 73-61, tonight (Friday, March 14, 2014) in a sectional semifinal game of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship Tournament on George Ball Court at the Sherwood Center in Walla Walla, Washington.

With the win, the Saints improve to a school record 31-0 and to the program's first-ever Sectional Finals "Elite Eight." Thomas More will play either No. 7-ranked Whitman College or No. 20-ranked Christopher Newport University tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Sherwood Center for the right to advance to the "Final Four." With the loss, the Patriots end the season at 27-4.

UT-Tyler jumped out to a 10-7 run when Madison Wilson made a jumper with 15:09 to play in the first half. The Saints answered with a 13-4 run capped by a lay-up by junior forward Jenny Burgoyne (Cincinnati, Ohio/McAuley) with 9:43 to play in the opening half to take a 20-14 lead. The Patriots responded with a 6-2 run to cut the lead to 22-20 on a Wilson lay-up with 8:19 to play in the opening half. Thomas More closed out the half on a 16-6 run to take a 38-26 lead at halftime.

The Saints opened the second half on a 13-6 run to extend the lead to 51-32 with 14:53 to play in the second half when senior guard Katie Kitchen (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) converted an old fashion three-point play. UT-Tyler used a 4-0 run to cut the lead to 51-36 on a Wilson lay-up with 13:14 to play in the game. Thomas More answered with a 10-4 run to increase the lead to 61-40 when senior guard Devin Beasley (Burlington, Ky./Conner) converted an old fashion three-point play with 8:05 to play in the game. UT-Tyler closed out the game on a 21-12 run, but it wasn't enough as the Saints won, 73-61, and advance to the "Elite Eight."

Sophomore guard/forward Sydney Moss (St. Albans, W.Va./Boone County (Ky.)) led all scorers with 26 points. Burgoyne joined her in double-figure scoring with 20 points. Burgoyne complete a double-double with a game-high 10 rebounds. Moss, junior guard Sydni Wainscott (Erlanger, Ky./Simon Kenton) and junior guard Stephanie Krusling (Cincinnati, Ohio/McNicholas) led the team in assists with two each.