Elite Eight for UCSD Women's Basketball

March 13, 2007

By Pat JaCoby

Coach Janell Jones' UC San Diego Women's Basketball team is headed to the NCAA Division II Championships, March 21-24, in Kearney, NB after knocking off conference rival Chico State, 80-63, in the NCAA West Regional Final  at RIMAC Arena. UCSD, now 26-4 on the year, is making its first trip to the Women's Basketball Championship.

Sophomore Michelle Osier came up huge, scoring 22 points and grabbing 18 rebounds, while Regional MVP Leora Juster chipped in with 19 points, seven rebounds and 10 assists for a double double of her own. Junior Meaghan Noud also racked up 19 and senior Hillary Hansen had 15 for the Tritons.

UCSD came out on fire, scoring the game's first 12 points. Jones' crew led by as many as 15 in the first half and was up by 11 at intermission. The Tritons got a scare early in the second half when senior point guard Kacie Kostlan re-injured her knee and had to leave the game. At that point, Chico State went on a run that cut the margin to a mere point with more than 15 minutes remaining. But Noud and Hansen hit consecutive buckets to right the ship and UCSD pushed the lead back to 12 points with 5:50 on the clock.

The Wildcats made one final surge, pushing to within five. On the ensuing possession, they missed four shots and seemed to lose steam after that as the Tritons got a big bucket from freshman Erin Noonan and hit their free throws down the stretch.

UCSD's opening round opponent at the Elite Eight will be Glenville State (WV), winner of the NCAA East Regional

 

Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858-534-7404