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Mavericks top Seawolves in Final 4 showdown

Women's Basketball UAA Media Relations

Mavericks top Seawolves in Final 4 showdown

SAN ANTONIO ? Rebecca Kielpinski had 14 points and eight rebounds, but Alaska Anchorage was unable to overcome a blazing-hot shooting performance by Minnesota State on Wednesday as the Mavericks earned an 83-60 win over the Seawolves in the NCAA Division II Semifinals at Bill Greehey Arena.

The 2nd-ranked Seawolves also got 12 points and seven rebounds from freshman Hanna Johansson as they ended with the best record in school history ? 31-4 ? and their second consecutive Final 4 appearance.

UAA entered the game ranked tops nationally in both scoring defense and field-goal percentage allowed, but 4th-ranked MSU (31-2) put on an offensive display unmatched by any Seawolf opponent this year.

Led by 25 points, four assists and four steals from guard Heather Johnson, the Mavericks shot 51.7 percent from the field and 63.2 percent (12 of 19) from three-point range. Johnson nailed 8 of 10 shots (5-7 3FG), while point guard Joanne Noreen finished with 16 points on 6-of-10 marksmanship.

The Seawolves scored the game's first two points on a pair of Nikki Aden free throws, but MSU quickly took control with a 14-2 run, powered by Johnson's hot shooting. The Mavericks' leading scorer converted all five of her field goals in the first half ? including 3 of 3 from long range ? to give her team a 38-27 halftime lead.

UAA remained in striking distance through much of the second half, finally slicing its deficit to 58-51 on a Kielpinski layin with 6:14 remaining. But Johnson followed with a three-pointer 10 seconds later, sparking a 7-0 Maverick spurt.

The Seawolves got seven points apiece from senior forwards Ruby Williams and Dasha Basova, while senior guard Jackie Thiel chipped in five points and a pair of steals. Junior guard Kiki Taylor had five assists and matched her career-high with five steals.

“We ran into a buzz saw tonight,” said UAA head coach Tim Moser, who completed his third year at the Seawolf helm with an 84-15 record. “Their kids played like champions.

“For me as a coach, I'm very disappointed for our kids. I feel for these kids because they really wanted to win this thing, but what a legacy these seniors left for the team and the university. I am very proud of them.”

UAA, which overcame 31 turnovers in its quarterfinal win over Clayton State on Tuesday, could not recover from 26 turnovers against the Mavericks, who converted those mistakes into 31 points.

The loss was the first for the Seawolves this year when outrebounding their opponent, as they claimed a 32-28 edge on the boards.

Kielpinski, UAA's three-time All-American and Great Northwest Athletic Conference Player of the Year, finished her magnificent 4-year career with 1,752 points, 1,181 rebounds and 262 blocks. Her third and final block Wednesday moved her into second place on the GNAC's all-time blocked shots list as well.

With its victory, Minnesota State advances to Friday night's national title game against the winner of the late semifinal between Delta (Miss.) State and Franklin Pierce (N.H.).

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Players Mentioned

Rebecca Kielpinski

#54 Rebecca Kielpinski

C
6' 2"
Sophomore
Nikki Aden

#25 Nikki Aden

G/F
5' 8"
Freshman
Dasha Basova

#13 Dasha Basova

F/C
6' 3"
Junior
Ruby Williams

#15 Ruby Williams

F
5' 10"
Junior
Hanna Johansson

#50 Hanna Johansson

F
6' 2"
Freshman
Kiki Taylor

#10 Kiki Taylor

G
5' 5"
Junior
Jackie Thiel

#11 Jackie Thiel

G
5' 4"
Senior

Players Mentioned

Rebecca Kielpinski

#54 Rebecca Kielpinski

6' 2"
Sophomore
C
Nikki Aden

#25 Nikki Aden

5' 8"
Freshman
G/F
Dasha Basova

#13 Dasha Basova

6' 3"
Junior
F/C
Ruby Williams

#15 Ruby Williams

5' 10"
Junior
F
Hanna Johansson

#50 Hanna Johansson

6' 2"
Freshman
F
Kiki Taylor

#10 Kiki Taylor

5' 5"
Junior
G
Jackie Thiel

#11 Jackie Thiel

5' 4"
Senior
G