03/11/2006) POCATELLO, Idaho – Led by tournament MVP Alyssa Wahl’s 19 points and eight rebounds, the Northern Arizona women’s basketball team earned its first-ever berth in the NCAA Tournament with a 74-59 win over Weber State in the Big Sky Championship game. The Lumberjacks came in as the third seed, and leave as the first three seed to ever win the conference tournament title.
NAU will find out its tournament fate on Monday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m. (MST) when ESPN airs its women’s selection show. All fans are welcome to join the NAU athletics department and the team in the Skydome for a viewing party.
Also named to the All-Tournament Team along with Wahl was Kim Winkfield, who scored 17 points against Weber State, and Nicky Eason who scored 14. Winkfield went 5-of-7 from behind the arc, and the Lumberjacks as a team went 9-of-13 (69 percent) from long range.
“It is hard to put in words when you attain the goal you set for yourself,” said head coach Laurie Kelly. “We put together three games in three days. We played with a lot of heart and commitment. This team is special. I always felt we could achieve our ultimate goal.”
NAU now sports an overall record of 22-10, matching the all-time wins record for the program set back in 1998. Weber State concludes its season at 15-15.
The Lumberjacks started to put the game away midway through the second half, taking its first double-digit lead, 52-40, at 9:41 on a three-pointer from Wahl. The run continued from there as NAU quickly increased the margin to 18 and then into the 20’s. NAU’s largest lead came with 2:34 remaining, 74-50, and Kelly emptied the bench in the final minutes.
“It felt great coming out of the game knowing we were going to win,” said Wahl.
The first half was a battle the whole way, as NAU led by seven early after a pair of three’s by Winkfield, but the Wildcats picked up the pace and stayed with the Lumberjacks down the stretch in the half. The game’s first and only tie came at 2:32 in the first half, and shortly thereafter Weber State’s Chelsey Warburton gave her team its only lead of the game with a trey.
NAU scored the final four points of the half to take a 28-25 lead into the break. The Lumberjacks shot just 35 percent in the opening period, but stormed out of the gate after halftime and shot 67 percent in the second half to improve their overall percentage to 49.
Weber State was led by Warburton and Laura Porter with 14 points apiece, and Shantee Releford with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Warburton and Releford both earned All-Tournament Team honors.
Winkfield, who has had some periods of drought on the offensive end this season, was able to put it together at the tournament to average 16 points per game and five assists per game. Wahl finished the tournament averaging 17 ppg and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“It has been a long season with a lot of battles,” said Winkfield. “I'm just happy (the shots) came at the right time. I just want to help my teammates. I think I thrive on big games. If it is a big game, I want to be part of it.”
Now all the Lumberjacks will play in their biggest game as they represent NAU at the NCAA Tournament. NAU will play its first round game either Saturday, March 18 or Sunday, March 19.
NAU will find out its tournament fate on Monday, March 13th at 5:00 p.m. (MST) when ESPN airs its women’s selection show. All fans are welcome to join the NAU athletics department and the team in the Skydome for a viewing party.
Also named to the All-Tournament Team along with Wahl was Kim Winkfield, who scored 17 points against Weber State, and Nicky Eason who scored 14. Winkfield went 5-of-7 from behind the arc, and the Lumberjacks as a team went 9-of-13 (69 percent) from long range.
“It is hard to put in words when you attain the goal you set for yourself,” said head coach Laurie Kelly. “We put together three games in three days. We played with a lot of heart and commitment. This team is special. I always felt we could achieve our ultimate goal.”
NAU now sports an overall record of 22-10, matching the all-time wins record for the program set back in 1998. Weber State concludes its season at 15-15.
The Lumberjacks started to put the game away midway through the second half, taking its first double-digit lead, 52-40, at 9:41 on a three-pointer from Wahl. The run continued from there as NAU quickly increased the margin to 18 and then into the 20’s. NAU’s largest lead came with 2:34 remaining, 74-50, and Kelly emptied the bench in the final minutes.
“It felt great coming out of the game knowing we were going to win,” said Wahl.
The first half was a battle the whole way, as NAU led by seven early after a pair of three’s by Winkfield, but the Wildcats picked up the pace and stayed with the Lumberjacks down the stretch in the half. The game’s first and only tie came at 2:32 in the first half, and shortly thereafter Weber State’s Chelsey Warburton gave her team its only lead of the game with a trey.
NAU scored the final four points of the half to take a 28-25 lead into the break. The Lumberjacks shot just 35 percent in the opening period, but stormed out of the gate after halftime and shot 67 percent in the second half to improve their overall percentage to 49.
Weber State was led by Warburton and Laura Porter with 14 points apiece, and Shantee Releford with 13 points and 12 rebounds. Warburton and Releford both earned All-Tournament Team honors.
Winkfield, who has had some periods of drought on the offensive end this season, was able to put it together at the tournament to average 16 points per game and five assists per game. Wahl finished the tournament averaging 17 ppg and 7.7 rebounds per game.
“It has been a long season with a lot of battles,” said Winkfield. “I'm just happy (the shots) came at the right time. I just want to help my teammates. I think I thrive on big games. If it is a big game, I want to be part of it.”
Now all the Lumberjacks will play in their biggest game as they represent NAU at the NCAA Tournament. NAU will play its first round game either Saturday, March 18 or Sunday, March 19.
