The 8th-ranked UAA women's basketball team had its dream of an NCAA title smashed by 2nd-ranked Ashland ( Ohio ), 71-51 in the Division II quarterfinals on Tuesday in San Antonio, Texas. The Seawolves finish the season 30 and 5 overall, including their third Elite Eight appearance in the last five seasons.
Ashland got off to a good shooting start, and nailed 48 percent of its shots, including nine three-pointers to run past UAA. The Eagles led 32-23 at halftime, and used an 8-0 run in the second half to pull away after the Seawolves closed to within 43-40.
Guard Lindsay Tenyak was most problematic for UAA. Tenyak hit five of six from beyond the three-point arc for 17 points, while Jena Stutzman led all scorers with 18 points.
Senior All-American Hanna Johansson, in her final game as a Seawolf, scored 17, but only four of those points came after halftime. Sasha King had a strong game with 14 points, but UAA struggled offensively most of the game, and made only 32 percent from the field.
Ashland extends its winning streak to 32 games, and advances to play #5 Bentley in the semifinals on Wednesday.
UAA's magnificent season, which the Seawolves won the GNAC regular season and tournament titles as well as the West Region championship, ends three victories short of their ultimate goal.
