WINONA LAKE, IN— On the second day of the NCCAA Women's Basketball Tournament, the #7 Asbury Eagles defeated the #6 Houghton Highlanders, 62-34, to advance to the fifth-place game tomorrow afternoon.
 
While neither team shot the lights out, the Highlanders struggled to find an offensive rhythm the entire game.  As a team Houghton shot over 35 percent from the floor, and nearly 25 percent from beyond the arc, this season.  But on Thursday morning, the Highlanders converted only 21 percent of their shots overall, and made only 1-of-26 (3.8%) from long distance. 
 
The Highlanders also sank only 7-of-18 shots (39%) from the foul line.
 
Despite their offensive woes, the Highlanders scrapped throughout the game, attempted to keep the game within comeback range until the legs gave out in the fourth quarter.  Trailing by 16 heading into the final 10 minutes, the Eagles finally pulled away for good, outscoring Houghton in the fourth, 17-5.
 
Asbury will take on #8 Kentucky Christian University—whom they defeated, 86-68, in the Regional Tournament—in the fifth place game at 5:00 pm tomorrow.
 
Houghton will meet #5 Columbia International University, who lost to Kentucky Christian earlier Thursday, 74-72, at 1:00 p.m. tomorrow.
 
GAME VITALS
Score: #6 Houghton – 34 | #7 Asbury – 62
Records: #6 Houghton: 17-11 | #7 Asbury: 18-11 
Venue: Manahan Orthopaedic Capital Center, Grace College | Attendance: N/A

NOTABLE STATS
>> Kayla Camacho led the Highlanders with 14 points, while Emma Cole chipped in six points and six rebounds and Crysta Lacrosse grabbed a team-high eight boards.
 
>> Jaclynn Ruble paced the Eagles with a team-high 14 points, while teammate Tiffani Riley scored 10 points and pulled down 10 rebounds.