ST. PAUL— The University of Northwestern women's basketball team cruises to a 74-53 victory over Lincoln Christian University in the NCCAA Division I North Central Region Tournament. The Eagles soared to an early lead over the Red Lions at the Ericksen Center Thursday night, shooting 46.2 percent behind the three point line, and 47.5 in the field.
 
Three minutes into the half, Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) made her first three of the night, taking a small lead over the Red Lions with a score of 7-3. Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) added to the heat with a shot from downtown with just under five minutes into the half, giving the Eagles a 13-5 advantage. Freshman Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) brought UNW to a 15 point lead with the fifth three of the half at the 12:34 mark. The Purple and Gold kept making an offensive push as the lead increased to 36-20 with less than five minutes to go in the first period. With a score of 39-22, the Eagles went into half with a 17 point cushion.

Kim Campbell (Bloomington, Minn./Kennedy) started the second half of right with a three-pointer right away in the first minute of play. Northwestern reached a 23 point lead as Campbell made two charity points four minutes into the half.

Emily Van Lith (Minot, N.D./Our Redeemers) had the crowd erupting as she chucked the ball from 35 feet back, making a nearly impossible three pointer with 11:13 to go. Lincoln continued to put up a good fight as Tatiana Schlief made her second three of the half bringing their deficit to 15 points. Campbell made her second three of the night with 3:52 on the clock, as she continued to steal the second half show. With a comfortable lead, Northwestern's bench had a shot to contribute to their 21 point lead. As time ran out, Northwestern sealed the deal with a 74-53 victory over Lincoln Christian.

Senior Chanel Madson (Westbrook, Minn./Westbrook-Walnut Grove) led the pack with 19 points, followed by Regan Cooper (Pella, Iowa/Pella)'s 12. Tiffany Stubbs (Ames, Iowa/Des Moines Christian) and Jessica Cole (Altoona, Iowa/Southeast Polk) tied at 11 apiece. Jacki Smith (Shoreview, Minn./Concordia Academy) made program history, with blocks in a season with her three blocks tonight. Smith tied the record last game against the University of Minnesota Morris.

Northwestern (18-10) will advance to the NCCAA National Tournament at Grace College in Winona Lake, Indiana on March 18-21. Visit www.gclancers.com/nccaa for complete championship information.