SPRINGFIELD, Mass., March 17, 2007 – DePauw University senior forward Liz Bondi (Park Ridge, Ill.) scored nine points, grabbed nine rebounds and was named the Tournament MVP as the Tigers captured their first-ever NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championship, 55-52, over the Washington University in St. Louis Bears this afternoon at Springfield College’s Blake Arena.

14th-year Head Coach Kris Huffman, commenting on her team’s first-ever national title, said, “I am in a fog. It was one of our goals to reach the Final Four, but as far as winning a national championship, I am not sure if you are ever prepared to have it happen. Our girls responded at the end.”

DePauw (31-3) sophomore guard Cassie Pruzin (Crown Point, Ind.) paced the Tigers with a team-best 12 points to go along with four rebounds. First-year forward Emily Marshall (St. Louis, Mo.) added eight points and seven rebounds, as senior guard Suzy Doughty (Mooresville, Ind.) and junior guard Kalei Lowes (St. Charles, Mo.) chipped in with nine points apiece.

The Bears, which end their season with a 25-6 overall record, were led by sophomore forward Jaimie McFarlin (Monroe, N.Y.) with a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds. McFarlin was the lone Bear named to the All-Tournament Team. Sophomore guard Halsey Ward (Little Rock, Ark.) came off the bench to lead all scorers with 16 points on 4-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc. Ward also added five rebounds and four assists. Senior center Rebecca Parker (Prairie Village, Kan.) posted a near double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds.

The game was neck-and-neck throughout the opening half, with no team leading by more than six points at any point throughout the first 20 minutes. At the break, DePauw clung to a four-point lead, 24-20. The Tigers stormed out of the gates in the second stanza, however, going on a 13-2 run, capped by a Bondi jumper at the 12:10 mark to take control with a 15-point advantage (37-22).

Washington University would not go away quietly, though, as the Bears went on a 19-7 run capped by a three from Ward to pull within just one point, 45-44, with 4:43 left in regulation. Commenting on Washington’s comeback, DePauw’s Bondi said, “Even though they cut into the lead, we never got nervous. We have been in that situation before. We knew they were a great team and at some point they would come back, but we managed to withstand their run.”

Washington was never able to tie the contest or take the lead, as the Tigers weathered the storm and held on for the 55-52 victory. The Bears had a chance at the end to tie the game and force overtime, down three with the ball, but DePauw’s stifling defense didn’t allow Washington to get a solid shot off.

NCAA Div. III Women’s Basketball Championship All-Tournament Team:
Liz Bondi, DePauw University – Tournament MVP
Suzy Doughty, DePauw University
Jaimie McFarlin, Washington University in St. Louis
Debbie Bruen, University of Mary Washington
Stephanie Ryba, NYU

published: 03/17/2007