WINONA LAKE, Ind. – With Kayla Beavers leading the charge, the Lee women's basketball team advanced to the semi-final round of the NCCAA National Championship with an impressive 75-52 victory over the Southwestern Assemblies of God (Waxahachie, Texas).
Beavers finished just one 3-pointer short of the NCCAA tournament record. She knocked down seven treys out of 15 attempts and finished with a game high 23 points. "She had a couple of looks late in the attempt to tie or break the record," said coach Marty Rowe. "I actually pulled her out of the game early in the second half because she wasn't taking the shots. She is an important part of our offense and we know that if she makes one, she's going to make two or three more in a row. That stretch she had in the second half really got us going."
Rowe admitted that his Lady Flames were a bit rusty in the first half but agreed that they played much better in the second 20 minutes and his forwards picked up the pace. Erin Walsh followed Beavers with 13 points and made three 3-pointers. All totaled, Lee converted 11-of-27 shots from behind the arc.
Shelby Brown added eight points and had seven rebounds. Carrie Cheeks was Lee's top rebounder with eight as the Lady Flames out-rebounded the Lions 44-30. Lee led 40-23 at the break and the margin reached 31 points before Rowe went to his bench late in the contest.
"We wanted to shake off some of the rust and give our girls a chance to relax, have a little fun and enjoy the tournament experience. Our goal every year is to be playing basketball in March. This is a great experience, especially for our group of younger players," commented Rowe.
For the game, Lee shot 43 percent. They were only awarded seven free throws and canned five. They committed 14 turnovers, most coming in the first half. Southwestern had 15 turnovers and shot 33 percent from the field. They were awarded 22 free throws and knocked down 14.
Laken Ward had a double-double for the Lions, 15 points and 12 rebounds. Cassy Cox contributed 12 points and six rebounds.
The Lady Flames will return to action on Thursday at 7 p.m. and will face the winner of old Southern States rival Emmanuel College and Northwestern out of St. Paul, Minn.
