Bluejay women slip past Daemen College by two points, 59-57.
Tabor College defeated Daemen College (N.Y.) 59-57 in the first game of the 2005 NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship held at Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena March 9-15.
Tabor had two players in double figures as junior forward Jill Hein recorded 16 points and pulled down eight rebounds. Erica Hemmert scored 13 points for the Bluejays, and sophomore Donya Anderson pulled down 10 rebounds. The Bluejays are making their second national tournament appearance after falling in the 1992 event.
Daemen College, which jumped to a seven-point lead in the first half, was led by Germany Jackson, a sophomore center who scored 15 points. The Wildcats also had Dionne Turnage in double figures as she scored ten points. Daemen was making its second straight national tournament appearance after falling in the first round in the 2004 event. They end their season 27-6.
Tabor improves to 25-5 on the season with the win and advances to Friday's second round. The Bluejays will face the winner of Morningside (Iowa) and Davenport (Mich.). Game time is set for 5:45 p.m. The 32-team, single elimination tournament concludes Tuesday, March 15, with the championship game at 6:30 p.m.
