(SIOUX CITY, Iowa)-No. 1 seed Thomas More University women's basketball team defeated No. 4 seed Central Methodist 82-62 on Monday evening (March 21) in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Semifinals to advance to the finals. The Saints overall record improves to 31-4.
- Graduate student Alexah Chrisman (Greendale, Ind./McAuley) kicked of the scoring for the Saints with a jump shot to put the team on the board 2-0 with 9:47 to play in the first quarter.
- Junior Emily Simon (Hilliard, Ohio/Hilliard Davidson) would make two free throws with 4:13 on the clock in the first quarter to extend the Saints lead to 12-8.
- Chrisman would hit a jump shot at the buzzer for the Saints final basket of the first quarter (26-17).
- Junior Zoie Barth (Ft. Thomas/Highlands) would make two free throws for the Saints first points of the quarter with 9:14 to play in the half (19-28).
- Senior Taylor Clos (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) hit a jump shot to put the Saints within two (32-34) with 4:16 on the clock in the second quarter.
- Sophomore Kelly Brenner (Cincinnati, Ohio/Roger Bacon) drained a 3-point basket in with 7 seconds left in the half to extend the Saints lead to 44-34.
- The Saints were 53.6% (15-28) from the field, 33.3% (4-12) from the 3-point line, and 83.3% (10-12) from the free throw line in the first half.
- Chrisman would start the third quarter off with a jump shot to make it a 49-36 game with 9:09 on the clock.
- Brenner hit a 3-point shot with 5:58 left in the third quarter to extend the Saints lead to 56-49.
- With 26 seconds on the clock in the third quarter, Clos made a jump shot for the Saints final basket of the quarter (71-47).
- The Saints would lead 71-50 going into the fourth quarter.
- Simon made one free throw for the team's first point of the game with 9:27 to play (72-50).
- Senior Kenzie Schwarber (Alexandria, Ky./Campbell County) drove to the rim for a basket to extend the Saints lead to 78-57 with 4:41 to play.
- Chrisman would make a jump shot for the Saints final basket of the game wih 2:59 on the clock (82-59).
- The Saints would defeat Central Methodist 82-62 to advance to the Finals.
- The Saints were 46.9% (15-32) from the field, 36.4% (4-11) from the 3-point line, and 44.4% (4-9) from the free throw line in the second half.
- Chrisman led the Saints with 18 points and had three rebounds and two assists.
- Brenner followed with 14 points, four rebounds, and two assists.
- Clos recorded 14 points, one rebound, and one assist.
- Barth led the Saints with six assists and had seven points and five rebounds.
- Sophomore transfer Alex Smith (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mercy McAuley) led the team defensively with six rebounds and had four points.
- The Saints were 50% (30-60) from the field, 34.8% (8-23) from the 3-point line, and 66.7% (14-21) from the free throw line.
The Saints return to the court tomorrow (March 21) against Dordt (Iowa) in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship at 8:00 pm ET in Sioux City, Iowa.
