WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The women's basketball 2007 Florida Sun Conference Tournament opened last night on the campus of Northwood University. The Warriors (12-13) were seeded third in the event and therefore played against Warner Southern College (10-16) in the first round.
The Warriors used a balanced scoring attack that saw 13 players reach the score sheet as the team ran out to a 63-46 victory over sixth seed Warner Southern in quarterfinal action Thursday evening at the Countess de Hoernle Student Life Center.
The Warriors improve to 12-13 on the season and advance to the semifinals, where they will face the second seed Savannah College of Art and Design at 7:00 p.m. The Royals end their season with a 10-16 overall record.
Sophomore #Ashley Gabbert# scored a game-high 12 points to lead the Warriors. Gabbert was one of two WIU players to reach double figures as senior #Arafat Hutchinson# pitched in with 10. Hutchinson also dished out a game-best three assists. Freshman #Marta Heidenreich# grabbed a game-high seven rebounds as the Warriors totally dominated the Royals 42-29 on the boards.
Only one Warner player managed to reach double figures in the points column, and another three managed eight points.
The Warriors never trailed in the contest, opening the game on a 14-4 run on their way to building a 34-15 late in the half. The Warriors would take a 36-19 lead into the locker room as they shot 12-of-29 (.414) from the floor in the opening frame. The Royals were 8-of-17 (.471) in the first half, but committed 26 turnovers in the game's first 20 minutes.
The Warriors would lead by as many as 31 in the second half before the WSC outscored WIU, 17-4, over the last 7:39 to determine the final margin. After totally outplaying the Royals in every facet of the game the Warriors progress to the semi-finals to take on second seed Savannah College of Art and Design today at 7:00p.m.
