By Scott Barker, Communications and Sports Information Intern

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. – (Box Score | Bracket) In the final game of the second round of the 2016 NAIA Division I Women’s Basketball National Championship, No. 2-seed MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) knocked off perennial powerhouse Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.), 59-51.

“We hit enough shots, and our seniors really stepped up,” said MidAmerica Nazarene head coach Jon Lewis. “Megan Balcom and Jasmine Webb really carried us, especially Jasmine in the fourth quarter. That has kind of been her calling card all season. Freed-Hardeman is so tough, and coached so well, we knew it was going to be a grinder game. We told our team to value the ball and value the possession.”

Freed-Hardeman had the advantage early, as Taleeah Cross – American Midwest Player of the Year – converted a pair of free throws to give the Lions a 6-0 lead two minutes into the contest. That lead did not last long, as a basket by Megan Balcom tied the game up at six with five minutes left in the quarter. The Pioneers would carry an eight-point lead into the second quarter (16-8).

MidAmerica Nazarene controlled the second quarter, as the Lions were not able to get within five points in the quarter.

The Lions cut the deficit down to three in the third period on a free throw by Cross with 2:20 remaining in the frame. The Pioneers would respond with a 9-0 run to end the quarter with a 47-35 advantage.

The Pioneers extended their lead to a game-high 14 points early in the fourth quarter, however Freed-Hardeman would draw to within six, but that’s as close as they would get.

For the game, Freed-Hardeman shot a dismal 28.2 percent (20-of-71) from the floor. The Lions were led by Cross’s 15 points. Kim Mallory recorded her fifth double-double (13 points and 12 rebounds) on the season.

The Pioneers were led by Jasmine Webb scored a game-high 18 points. Balcom – a First Team All-Heart of America Athletic Conference selection – joined Webb in double-digits with 12 points.
Of the eight quarterfinalists, five teams are making their first-ever quarterfinals appearance. There are no No. 1 seeds in the quarterfinals for the first time since the seeding format was established in 2003.

MidAmerica Nazarene will take on No. 5-seed Lindsey Wilson (Ky.) on Saturday at 8 p.m. CDT.