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Skyhawks Advance to NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship Game
Skyhawks Advance to NCAA Women’s Basketball Championship
Game
Defeat No. 2 Franklin Pierce, 79-64
St. Joseph, Mo. – Led by a solid offense and tough defensive pressure, the No. 6 Fort Lewis Skyhawks advanced to the NCAA Division II Women’s Basketball championship game after defeating No. 2 Franklin Pierce (32-2) Wednesday night, 79-64.
Fort Lewis held the WBCA and Daktronics women’s basketball Player of the Year, Johannah Leedham, to a season low 13 points on 5 of 22 field goal shooting (.227). Leedham, who scored seven points in the first five minutes of the game, was held scoreless for the next 24:12. Katie Mackey gave the Skyhawks their largest lead of the game with 20 points at 5:21 after sinking two free throws.
The Skyhawks, who forced 12 turnovers by the Ravens, shot a solid 53.8 percent from the floor (28-52) and 47.8 percent from three-point range (11-23).
Allison Rosel led the Skyhawks with 22 points and 11 rebounds. She netted 10 of 13 field goals and 2 of 3 free throws. Laura Haugen followed with 19 points after making 7 of 14 field goals (4 of 8 three-point field goals and 1 of 2 free throws). Audrey George, who posted three of the Skyhawks four blocks in the game, also added four assists, six points and eight rebounds. Abby Jackson made all three of her field goals from long range as part of her 10 points. She also shared team high honors with George for assists with four. Katie Mackey notched 11 points with five of them coming from the charity stripe as the Skyhawks had four players in double figures.
Franklin Pierce’s Cynthia Gaudet led all scorers with 23 points. She notched 9 of 17 field goals and contributed five assists. Leedham finished the game with three caroms, one assist and one block.
With the win, Fort Lewis becomes the only RMAC women’s basketball team to reach 35 wins. They will play the winner from Wednesday’s second semifinal game between Emporia State and Gannon. The NCAA championship game will be broadcast live on ESPN 2 on March 26. Tipoff is slated for 6 p.m. (MT).
Twitter (in-game updates)
NCAA DII Women’s Basketball Championship Central (tickets, tournament information, hotels, restaurants, St. Joseph, Mo., etc.)
