The 2017-18 season came to a conclusion for both the Trine and Hope women's basketball teams in the sectional rounds of the 2018 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship March 9-10.
Hope advanced to the sectional final with a 68-64 win over Christopher Newport (25-5), outscoring their guests 41-26 in the second half. Francesca Buchanan posted a team-high 16 points, while Lauren Newman added seven points with team-highs of seven rebounds and four steals. Kennedy Schoonveld added eight points, six asists, and four steals.
The Flying Dutch (29-2) saw their season come to an end in the sectional final, with Thomas More (30-1) avenging last season's NCAA loss to Hope with a 72-57 score. Buchanan again led Hope with 13 points and six rebounds as Hope was hindered by 21 turnovers.
Trine (26-4), making their first-ever appearence in the sectional round, lost to host Wartburg in the round of 16, 78-54. Wartburg (30-0) shot a blistering 9-of-14 from three-point range in the contest. Trine's Brandi Dawson led all scorers with 21 points to go with team-bests of five rebounds and three assists.
The 2018 Division III Women's Basketball Championship will culminate with the final four teams competing at Mayo Clinic Civic Center in Rochester, Minn.
Tournament links
NCAA Division III Women's Basketball page
2018 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball bracket announcement
2018 NCAA Division III Women's Basketball interactive bracket
