AMHERST, N.Y. - Daemen is heading to Sioux City, Iowa for the NAIA Division II National Tournament after clinching the AMC North Division title with an 80-71 win over Point Park. The Lady Wildcats move to a perfect 12-0 in conference play and 21-5 overall. They have won 16 games in a row and finish with a perfect 13-0 record at home.
The win did not come easy. The Wildcats got off to a good start, leading 11-3 to begin the game. But from there the game was very even. Daemen held a 42-35 lead at the half. Point Park battled back and took their first lead of the game (52-51) with 12:25 left to play. The game was extremely tight the next eight minutes. The score was tied at 65 with 4:29 to play. Sarah Bogardus scored seven of Daemen's next nine points in a 9-2 run that gave the Wildcats some breathing room with a 74-67 lead with 1:30 left to play. Daemen hit their free throws down the stretch to preserve the win.
Bogardus finished the game with 30 points including 3-for-6 from three-point range and 9-for-9 from the line. Mary Kate Wilson had 13 points and nine rebounds. Sarah Soroka had a double-double with 10 points and 13 rebounds and also added five blocks. Haleigh VanFleet had eight assists. Marybeth Nugent also had a strong game with nine points, five rebounds, and three assists.
Daemen held a 53-38 rebound edge but it was offset by their 22 turnovers against only eight for Point Park. The free throw line was a big difference as Point Park shot one more free throw (13-26) but converted nine less than Daemen (22-25). Daemen shot 39.7 percent (25-63) from the field and 38.1 percent (8-21) from three-point range. Point Park did not play like a team that has yet to win in the AMC. They were led by Brittney Wilson (18 points) and Ashleigh Hayes (14 points).
This will be Daemen's fifth straight trip to the national tournament. They will play the AMC Championship Game at 8th-ranked Shawnee State on March 1.