Seventh-Ranked Tigers Advance to Sixth Straight SCAC Title Game with Semifinal Win

BOX SCORE

March 1, 2008, Conway, Ark. - Seventh-ranked DePauw advanced to its sixth straight Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference tournament championship game following an 85-69 semifinal win over Colorado College.

In Sunday's 2:30 p.m. CST title game, the Tigers face Oglethorpe after the Stormy Petrels defeated Trinity by a 73-70 score in tonight's second semifinal game. DePauw has won the last two SCAC titles and three of the previous five contested and Sunday's championship tilt is a rematch of last year's title game.

The Tigers never trailed in the contest and used a 20-2 first-half run to take a 38-16 lead with four minutes left in the half. Colorado College scored the next seven and DePauw still held a 43-28 lead at the break.

Gretchen Haehl scored 10 of the Tigers' first 14 second-half points as DePauw opened up a 57-34 advantage just four minutes into the half. Colorado College closed to within 12 at 68-56 with six minutes remaining, but DePauw scored six straight over the next two minutes to secure the win.

Haehl led all scorers with 23 and knocked down a career-high five three-pointers in the win, while Jenna Fernandez followed with 19. Andrea Travelstead followed with a career-high 12 points, while Cassie Pruzin added 10. Adedrea Chaney grabbed a career-best nine rebounds to lead the Tigers who held a 38-35 edge on the boards.

Melaine Auguste paced Colorado College with 27 points and seven assists, while Paige Whitney added 21 and grabbed a game-high 11 rebounds. Eliese Hansberry added 10 points.

DePauw improved to 24-3 for its third straight season of at least 24 wins and fifth in the last seven. Colorado College finished the season at 13-13 with the loss.