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**AMC Championships Photos

Season Ends at Nationals for Owls

(JACKSON, Tenn., March 17)--The William Woods University women's basketball team had its season come to an end in the first round of the NAIA National Championships on Wednesday. The 15th ranked Owls lost to #19 Trevecca Nazarene University (Tenn.) 71-64.

Rebounding has been a strength for the Owls all season. The Owls entered the first round game 13th in the country in rebounding margin (6.86). That would not be the case on Wednesday morning. Trevecca owned the glass on both ends to earn the victory. When the final horn went off, TNU held a 58-40 rebounding margin; including 26 on the offensive end.

TNU took control of the game early in the first half. The Trojans built a 13 point lead midway through the first 20 minutes of play. The Owls clawed their way back into the game and trailed by three (34-31) at the break. The Owls shot 36.8% from the field in the first half. The Trojans shot 36.8%.

WWU completed the comeback in the second half. The Owls tied the game 34-34 on a free throw from junior Jill Sutton (Warrenton, Mo.) two minutes into the half. Junior Jestine Gerber (Jefferson City, Mo.) gave the Owls their first lead of the half (37-36) on a three-pointer from the wing with 18:15 remaining in the game. After several lead changes, WWU took its biggest lead of the day at the 15 minute mark. Gerber hit another three-point jumper from the corner to give the Owls a 44-40 lead.

Trevecca went on a 14-0 run during the next five minutes to regain the lead. Freshman London Elie was a force in the middle, and on the glass, for the Trojans. She scored eight of the 14 points during the TNU run.

The Owls had chances down the stretch to cut into the Trojans lead. WWU got to within five points on several occasions, but could not get any closer. The Owls had four straight stops on the defensive end but were unable to convert them into points on the offensive end. During the two minute stretch, the Owls missed a break-away lay-up and three consecutive three-point field goal attempts.

Gerber connected on a three-pointer with 1:36 remaining to cut the lead to five (67-62). She then forced a turnover and headed to the basket with a chance to cut it to a one possession

game. Trevecca's Abby Lawson caught Gerber from behind, and stole the ball as she went for the shot.

The Owls fouled on the change of possession. TNU missed the front end of a 1-and-1, giving the Owls one final chance to cut into the lead. Junior Rachel Baker (Mexico, Mo.) came up shot on her three-point attempt and the Owls saw their tournament hopes come to an end.

The Trojans held the advantage in most statistical categories including points in the paint (46-24), second chance points (31-12) and bench scoring (32-6).

TNU (22-10) put four players in double-figures in the win. Elie led all scorers with 21 points. The 6'3" freshman also had 13 rebounds. K.C. Van Atta added 14 points for the Trojans. Lawson scored 11 points in the win for TNU. Christian Gibson completed the double-digit scorers with 10 points. Rachel Raby added 13 rebounds in the victory.

Gerber led the Owls with 21 points. She was 7-for-19 from the field, including 4-for-14 from beyond the three-point line. Senior Eshell Estrella (Santa Ana, Calif.) had 17 points, four steals and three assists in the loss. Baker had 11 points and 13 rebounds, three blocks and three steals for the Owls.

WWU ends the season 29-3. The Owls concluded another successful season under head coach Dan Chapla. In his two seasons at the helm, the Owls have two American Midwest Conference regular season Co-Championships, two AMC tournament championships and back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Tournament.