Winona Lake, IN— The University of Northwestern women's basketball team fell 45-39 to Emmanuel College in the first round of the NCCAA National Championship. Emmanuel (18-10), from Franklin Springs, Georgia, will move on to the final four round and Northwestern (18-11) will continue to play in the NCCAA consolation bracket.

Emmanuel's Mikayla Trombley was the first to score at the 18:48 mark. Northwestern started the contest with four missed shots, allowing Emmanuel take an early four point lead until Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) made her first three of the night at 17:40. With both teams struggling to make a shot, the Eagles trailed 7-5 with 12:53 on the clock. Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella)'s two layups brought UNW to a 9-7 lead with just under 12 minutes to go in the first period. Emmanual made a consecutive eight point run, reclaiming the lead with a score of 14-12 with 5:30 to go. Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy)'s offensive rebound allowed Emily Van Lith (Minot, N.D./Our Redeemers) to add a touch of momentum in the Purple's favor.  Tied at 17 with two minutes to go, Northwestern allowed two consecutive turnovers but neither team was able to capitalize offensively, shooting 25 percent in the field and 12.5 percent behind the arc. Fortunately for UNW, the Lions had similar offensive percentages, making 19.4 of field goals and zero percent of threes.

Elise Coberly drained a three on behalf of the Lions a minute into the game, but Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella) responded with three points of her own with a fouled layup and charity point to follow. Another three by Emmanuel launched them to a 25-20 lead with 17 minutes to go. Aaron Kahl called his Eagle timeout, trailing 27-20 with 15:40 to go in the game. Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) made her first three of the night, hoping to start an offensive push for Northwestern. The Eagles quickly responded, tying the game at 27 with 13 minutes on the board.  Kim Campbell (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy)'s block allowed the Eagles to take back possession, leading to a Campbell three as the Purple regained the lead with a score of 31-29. Emmanuel tied the Purple squad at 33 with five minutes on the clock. Coberly made another crucial trey, giving the Lions a three point advantage at the 4:12 mark. Trombley's three-pointer forced a Northwestern time-out on the floor as they fell to a score of 39-33. A shot from downtown by from Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella) with 48 seconds on the clock allowed the Purple and Gold to stay in the game, trailing 43-38. Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) tried to keep the Eagles rolling with a charity point, but as time ran out, Northwestern fell 45-39 to Emmanuel College.

Overall, Northwestern shot 27.8 in the field. Typically strong behind the arc, the Eagles shot a low 16.7 percent of threes. Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella) was the only player in double digits for the Purple squad with 16, added with six rebounds. Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) added nine rebounds of her own.

On the opposing team, Elise Coberly racked 13 rebounds and 15 points, along with Mikayla Trombley's 16 points.
The Eagles will play in the consolation bracket on Thursday afternoon at 12 p.m. ET, against Southern Assemblies of God University. The Purple and Gold will have a guaranteed two more games before the 2014-2015 season comes to a close.