Indianapolis, Ind.- In a thrilling debut in the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship First Round, the Stephens College Stars made history by defeating the University of Pikeville (Ky.) Bears with a final score of 84-69 at Marian University in Indianapolis, Ind. Ranked No. 9 in the Naismith Quadrant, the Stars showcased their skills with a record of 23-7, continuing their remarkable season.
Leading the charge for the Stars, Mia Morel dominated with 24 points and 4 steals, closely followed by Marveen Ross, who contributed 22 points and 4 rebounds. Chu Crockett and Lauren Friedrich displayed their talent on the boards with six rebounds each.
Despite trailing early on, the Stars quickly turned the tide, with Ross and Morel spearheading a scoring spree. By the end of the first quarter, the Stars had secured a six-point lead (24-18).
The Bears fought back fiercely in the second quarter, narrowing the margin to just one point. However, Morel responded with a pivotal three-pointer, but it was not enough as the Bears took back their lead heading into halftime, 41-38.
After the break, the Bears attempted to regain control, but the Stars unleashed a relentless offensive onslaught, embarking on a 10-point run to seize command once again.
In the fourth quarter, Ross extended the Stars' lead to over 10 points with a crucial three-pointer, effectively sealing the victory at the 7:43 mark.
Morgan Stamper and Allie Stone delivered standout performances for the Bears, with Stamper recording a double-double of 25 points and 13 rebounds, while Stone contributed 21 points.
With this historic win under their belt, the Stars are set to face off against top-ranked Marian University on Saturday, Mar. 16th, at 6 pm ET/5 pm CT. Fans can purchase tickets here or tune in here to support the Stars as they continue their remarkable journey in the tournament and make Stephens College history.
If the Stars secure a victory on Saturday evening, they will advance as the winners of the Naismith bracket to the final stop of the tournament, to be played at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA (date and time TBD).
For more information on the NAIA Women's Basketball Championship First Round, presented by Ballogy, visit the NAIA Championship Site.
