DePauw advances to Final Four

BOSTON -- For the second time in six years, the DePauw University women's basketball team has advanced to the Final Four.

The Tigers used a 14-0 second-half run in a stretch of nearly four minutes to push by Calvin, 74-61, in the sectional final of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament on Saturday.

The Tigers are 29-3 this season and will face Mary Washington in the Final Four at Springfield, Mass. Calvin's season ended with a record of 28-3.

The 14-0 run pushed DePauw's lead to 18 after only leading by four.

The Tigers outscored Calvin, 11-4, during the final five minutes of the first half Saturday to take a 28-20 lead into halftime.

DePauw extended its lead to nine early in the second half before the Knights scored six consecutive points to close within three, 37-34.

The Tigers still held a 42-38 advantage after Calvin's Brook VanEck scored with 10:53 remaining in regulation.

But Cassie Pruzin hit four free throws and Bridget Bailey's turnaround jumper pushed the Tigers' lead back to double digits. Liz Bondi followed with a jumper before Caitlin McGonigal added two free throws and Suzy Doughty and Gwen Haehl each added layups to make the score 56-38 with just more than seven minutes remaining.

During the 14-0 run, the Tigers held the Knights to 0-for-7 shooting while creating three turnovers.

Calvin closed to within 11 at 63-52 on Nikki Zimmerman's three-pointer with 1:55 left, but the Tigers hit 4-of-6 from the charity stripe during the next 20 seconds to stretch their lead back to 15.

Bondi led the Tigers with 14 points while Pruzin and McGonigal each added 12. Doughty also had 11 points.

Pruzin finished the game with a team-high six rebounds.

Lisa Winkle led Calvin with 24 points and 12 boards, including 16 points and eight rebounds in the first half. Kelly Trewhella also had 10 points.

DePauw shot 41 percent from the floor, but hit 50 percent in the second half. Calvin shot only 36 percent from the floor and 31 percent in the first half.

The Knights also outrebounded DePauw, 38-34, and had 17 offensive boards.

DePauw's 29 wins match a school record set last year.

At Boston

Calvin 20 41 -- 61

DePauw 28 46 -- 74

Calvin -- Willett 1-4 0-0 2, Peuler 2-5 0-0 4, Zimmerman 1-3 0-0 3, Trewhella 3-11 3-4 10, Winkle 8-18 8-9 24, Griswold 2-6 0-0 5, Zigterman 0-0 0-0 0, Partridge 1-4 2-2 4, Walker 0-2 0-0 0, Bennett 0-0 0-0 0, VanEck 3-6 3-4 9, Roodvoets 0-0 0-0 0, Schrotenboer 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 21-59 FG, 16-19 FT, 61 TP.

DePauw -- Doughty 3-5 5-6 11, Pruzin 3-10 4-4 12, Lowes 1-3 5-6 7, Bondi 4-12 6-8 14, Marshall 0-1 0-0 0, Mahon 0-0 0-0 0, McGonigal 3-5 5-6 12, Chaney 0-0 0-0 0, Gr. Haehl 1-5 0-0 3, Gw. Haehl 2-3 2-2 7, Fernandez 0-0 0-0 0, Bailey 3-5 1-2 7, Travelstead 0-0 0-0 0, Warner 0-0 1-2 1. Totals 20-49 FG, 29-36 FT, 74 TP.

3-pt. FG -- C 3-14 (Zimmerman 1-1, Trewhella 1-2, Griswold 1-4), DPU 5-13 (Pruzin 2-6). Rebounds -- C 38 (Winkle 12), DPU 34 (Pruzin 6). Blocks -- C 5 (Willett 3), DPU 5 (Bailey 4). Assists -- C 11 (Zimmerman 4), DPU 9 (Gr. Haehl 3). Steals -- C 6 (Partridge, Willett 2), DPU 6 (Marshall 2). Total Fouls -- C 28, DPU 20. Fouled Out -- VanEck (C), Marshall (DPU). Turnovers -- C 17, DPU 12.

Next Game -- The Tigers (29-3) face Mary Washington in Friday's national semifinal in Springfield, Mass.