SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – The Spring Arbor University women's basketball team is headed to the national tournament final site after an impressive 80-67 victory over the University of Tennessee Southern in the Second Round of the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship on Saturday evening at Spring Arbor.
The sixth-seeded Cougars advanced to the Round of 16 with the win over the No. 3-seeded Firehawks – the farthest SAU has advanced in the national tournament since making the quarterfinals in 1997-98 season under SAU Hall of Fame coach Tom Britsch.
Spring Arbor came out firing, starting the game a perfect 5-for-5 from the field to build a quick 13-1 lead. Tennessee Southern responded and gradually worked its way back into the game, closing the gap and eventually tying the score at 21-21 by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter featured a tightly contested battle with neither team able to lead by more than three points. Late baskets by
Emma Smieska and
Megan Zeitz gave the Cougars a slight edge heading into halftime with a 34-32 advantage.
Spring Arbor created separation in the third quarter, outscoring the Firehawks 26-15 to take control of the game. Zeitz and
Alayna Kulesza combined for 13 of the Cougars' 26 points in the period, with Kulesza shooting a perfect 3-for-3 from the field in the quarter.
The Cougars maintained that momentum in the fourth quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 18 points with just under two minutes remaining before securing the victory.
Zeitz led all scorers with 23 points while
Ashley Weller added 16.
Haven Chapman contributed 11 points and
Rielyn Goodwin finished with 10. Smieska narrowly missed a double-double, posting nine points and 12 rebounds.
Spring Arbor shot 45 percent from the field and was strong at the free throw line, converting 21 of its 26 attempts. Tennessee Southern shot 41 percent overall and was limited to just 3-of-13 shooting from beyond the arc.
With the win, the Cougars advance to face No. 5-ranked and No. 2-seeded Campbellsville University (Ky.) in the Round of 16 on Friday, March 20 at 9 p.m. ET.
