Box Score

Bloomington, Ill. - An Ashley Averkamp lay-up with just seconds remaining gave the Pointer women's basketball team an upset 77-76 victory over the nation's third-ranked and host Titans of Illinois Wesleyan in the sectional round of the 2010 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Pointer women advance to play Hope, who defeated Marymount (Va.) 53-46, in the Elite Eight round Saturday evening at 7 p.m.

The teams traded baskets early but the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan pulled away by five points at the 14:06 mark of the opening half, 12-7. Andrea Flease (New London/New London) answered back with a three-pointer of her own as the Pointers cut the lead to just two.

The remainder of the first half the Titans kept the Pointers just far enough away, as the Titans held a seven point edge at the break, 44-37.

In the second half the Titans build their largest lead of the game, going in front by 11 on a Hope Schulte basket in the paint with 18:01 left, 50-39.

The Pointers cut the deficit to just two thanks to a 13-4 run and at the 8:14 mark tied the game at 60, evening the score for the first time since early in the opening half.

The Titans responded, building a four point lead but the Pointers answered to tie the score at 64-64.

From there the Pointers pushed in front to a five point lead, capped by a Flease fastbreak layup, pushing the score to 69-64. The game then went back in favor of the Titans where they were able to capitalize on a lay-up and a foul to give them the lead 70-69.

Two free throws by Flease switched the lead back in the Pointers favor and a jumper by Cassie Bandow (Plover, WI/Pacelli) gave them a three point lead.

Christina Solari gave the Titans a one point lead with 32 seconds but missed a bonus free throw to give the Pointers one last chance.

Flease missed a jumper with five seconds remaining but Averkamp grabbed the biggest offensive rebound of the season and laid in the put back with one second left to give the Pointers a 77-76 victory.

Averkamp led the four Pointers scoring in double figures, pouring in 20. Cassie Bandow added 18 while Flease added 17. Britta Petersen chipped in 14 in the Pointer victory.