SIOUX CITY, Iowa – (Box Score) The opening game of the second round in the 2015 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship, presented by State Farm, began with a bang, as the wild ride for No. 7 Tabor (Kan.) continues. The Bluejays overcame an 8-0 deficit to begin their contest with third-seeded Southern Oregon, and ultimately advancing to the quarterfinals with a 72-65 victory.

Currently in its sixth trip to the national championship, Tabor now advances past the second round for the first time in school history. The Bluejays were 0-3 in the round of 16, most recently in 2007, where they fell 61-44 to Indiana Wesleyan.

Tabor (21-12) – of the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference – has now beaten a two seed (Marian (Ind.), 53-50, in the first round on Wednesday, and a three seed in its first two competitions.

Leading the way for the Bluejays was Taylor Hurd with 21 points and on 7-of-13 shooting, including two three-pointers. She was joined in double-figures by Tena Loewen (17) and Tonisha Dean (14).

After the seven seed chipped away at the early deficit, Tabor built a 12-point advantage on multiple occasions throughout the game.

The Cascade Collegiate Conference at-large team would not go without a fight, clawing its way back to take a one-point lead at 56-55 with 5:47 remaining. The Southern Oregon comeback was short-lived, however, as the Bluejays came back once more – this time for good.

Four ties and five lead changes later, Tabor escaped with the seven-point win.

In defeat, the Raiders end the season with a 27-5 record. A trio of Southern Oregon players – Carly Meister (16), Kristen Schoenherr (15) and Alexi Smith (12) scored 10-plus points. Meister led her team in rebounds with eight.

Tabor now moves on to play on Saturday against the winner of No. 1 Davenport (Mich.) and fifth-seeded Briar Cliff (Iowa). Tip is scheduled for 1 p.m. CDT.