Thomas More women defeat Juniata (N.Y.), 83-50, advance to NCAA Division III Sweet 16

NKyTribune staff

The winning streak is now at 27 for the Thomas More College women’s basketball team, and the third-ranked Saints are four victories away from claiming the NCAA Division III national championship.

Four players scored in double figures Saturday night as Thomas More rolled to an 83-50 win over Juniata (N.Y.) in the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament at the Connor Convocation Center. Madison Temple netted 18 points and dished out 10 assists to lead the Saints, who improved to 28-1.

Abby Owings drained four 3-pointers and finished with 15 points for Thomas More, which opened the game on a 28-9 run. The Saints held Juniata to 26.9 percent shooting from the field in the first half and sprinted to a 45-19 lead at the break.

Temple and Taylor Jolly both scored nine points in the first half, while teammate Shelby Rupp came off the bench and added eight of her 10 points. The Saints buried six 3-pointers in the first half, with Jolly making a trio of treys.

Nikki Kiernan finished with 14 points and eight rebounds for Thomas More, which shot 49 percent from the field. The Saints also forced 23 Juniata turnovers and won the rebounding battle by a 36-34 margin.

Thomas More has not lost since a 61-58 setback at Rochester (N.Y.) on Nov. 18.

Morgan Instone scored 11 points to pace Juniata, which finished the season with a 23-6 record. The Eagles had advanced to Saturday’s matchup with Thomas More by defeating Piedmont (N.C.), 63-52, on Friday night.

Thomas More advances to next weekend’s Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Tournament. The Saints will meet Gustavus Adolphus (24-6) at a time and location to be announced.

Thomas More won back-to-back NCAA Division III national championships in 2015 and ’16. The NCAA later forced Thomas More to vacate all 33 wins from the 2014-15 season, including the national title, for using an ineligible player.