March 6, 2004

Final Stats

ABILENE, Texas - Hardin-Simmons used a 15-0 run over a 2:33 span in the first half and never trailed again as they routed Maryville (Tenn.) 96-72 in the second round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship in front of 1,871 fans at the Mabee Complex Saturday evening.

The Cowgirls had five players score in double figures, paced by senior Lauren Harris' 20. Freshman Magna Green came off the bench to record career highs with 19 points, 12 rebounds and five blocks. Diana Martinez added 16 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and five steals. Veronica Jones added 14 points and Melissa Henley had 10.

HSU scored 31 points off of 20 Maryville turnovers and the Cowgirls turned the ball over only two times in the second half, after giving it up 12 times in the first half. HSU also dominated the paint outscoring the Lady Scots 54-30 in the paint and winning the battle of the boards 50-28.

Shanna Briggs used just eight players in the game, but they all played outstanding at different times. Green was dominant inside and Melissa Forth held Maryville's Hayley Smith, who finished with a game-high 30 points, without a basket for over 12 minutes in the deciding periods of the second half.

The Cowgirls finished the game shooting 53 percent from the field.

With the win, the Cowgirls advanced to their sixth straight sectional tournament. The Cowgirls will play Eastern Mennonite at a time and place to be determined on Sunday. HSU improved to 26-2 and Maryville ended its season with a 22-7 mark.