#19 IU East claims #RSCWBB championship with win over IU Kokomo, 71-59
#19 IU East claims #RSCWBB championship with win over IU Kokomo, 71-59
By IU East Sports Information (Josh Mann) BOX SCORE BRACKET
RICHMOND, Ind. – The Indiana University East women's basketball team claimed its first River States Conference tournament championship with a 71-59 victory against in-state rival Indiana University Kokomo on Feb. 28 before a packed crowd at Lingle Court.
The No. 19 Red Wolves (28-5) completed the season sweep against the Cougars (21-12) and finished the 2016-17 season with a perfect 17-0 record on Lingle Court.
IU East has won nine consecutive games and will head into the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship for the second year in a row.
IU Kokomo also qualified for the national tournament as the RSC West champs and the RSC Tournament runner-up. Both programs are in just their third seasons of NAIA play.
KEY MOMENTS
* IU East used an 18-4 run to open the game en route to a commanding 27-14 lead after one quarter. The Red Wolves connected on 4 of 5 attempts from behind the arc during the game-opening run.
* IU Kokomo went on a 16-6 run to begin the third quarter, cutting IU East's 43-26 halftime lead down to 49-42. However, the Cougars would get no closer than seven the rest of the way.
* IU East capitalized on clutch free throws over the final minute of the game to clinch the victory. The Red Wolves made seven of eight free throws in the final minute.
SIGNIFICANT STATS
* The Red Wolves have played in the conference tournament championship game in all three of their NAIA seasons.
* IU East shot 80 percent from the free throw line (20-for-25).
* IU East took three charges in the final quarter.
* IU East had four players in double figures, led by Kristen Miller with a game-high 22 points. Bailey Dreiman had a double-double with 10 points and 11 rebounds. Keragan Niehoff came off of the bench and contributed eight points and a season-high 14 rebounds.
* IU Kokomo had two players in double figures, led by all-conference guard Deja Felder with 19 points.
NOTABLE QUOTABLE
"We started this program as freshman, and we've got two seniors that are leaving after this season, so we had to get this win. We've gone to the championship game three years in a row - third time's a charm, I'd say. We hope we get a nice seed in the (national) tournament, because seeding really matters in the tournament. This team is full of dedication and hard work, and we're going to make a run in the tournament this year." – IU East's Kristen Miller
"We've been telling ourselves all year that this is going to be our year. We just wanted it more, and nothing was going to get in our way this time." – IU East's Keragan Niehoff
"We were working the ball really well tonight. A lot of teams tried pressing us after the Midway loss (in January), so I thought we handled their press really well. With playing in the tournament last year, we know what to expect, but we'll be looking for some wins this time." – IU East's Mackenzie Campbell
"We've been talking about cutting down nets since the summer, since everybody got here, so this has been a real focus all season long. I believe that this championship should get us a good seed in the (national) tournament, and I really feel confident that this team can make a run." – IU East coach Tiffani Selhorst
UP NEXT
IU East's first-round game at the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship will be March 8 or 9 in Sioux City, Iowa.
Pairings for the national tournament will be announced on Wednesday, March 1 at 6 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. CT with a live selection show at NAIA.org.