Box Score (XML)
WINONA LAKE, Ind. (March 19, 2014) – The Women's Basketball team rallied to defeat four-seed Oklahoma Christian University, 69-66, in their NCCAA National Championships opener this afternoon.
Roberts Wesleyan, the fifth-seed, stormed back after trailing by 17 points mid-way through the second half to win their first NCCAA opening round game for the first time since the 2010-11 tournament.
The Redhawks gained the lead when junior forward
Marissa Sell drained a pair of free-throws with 1:03 remaining in the game.
Sell, who had a career day, poured in 23 points while setting a new NCCAA National Championships tournament record with her 24 rebounds. The forward finished the game going 6 of 10 from the field and a perfect 11 of 11 at the free-throw line.
Joining Sell in double figures was senior
Chelsea Sanders, who added 12 points.
Ashley Cianfriglia and
Samantha Courtney scored 10 points each.
As a team, Roberts Wesleyan's defense managed to hold the Eagles to 30.9 percent shooting from the field and a paltry 18.5 percent from beyond the arc.
For Oklahoma Christian, Sydney Hill scored a team-high 18 points while a total of 10 players scored.
With the win, the Redhawks advance to the semi-finals where they will face the winner of the #1 Lee (Tenn.)/#8 Grace (Ind.) game tomorrow afternoon at 3:30pm.
