Trojan women eliminated from East Regional

Published in Sports on March 16, 2008 2:03 AM

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From staff reports

INDIANA, Pa. -- The clock finally struck midnight for Cinderella.

Shepherd (W. Va.) University used an 18-point run to erase a double-digit deficit and topple eighth-seeded Mount Olive 74-66 in the NCAA Division II East Regional on Saturday evening. Katie Warehime scored 30 points, including a key 3-pointer, as the Rams advanced to Monday's title game against California (Pa.) University.

The Trojans, in their first-ever postseason appearance, concluded the year 21-11 overall.

Lakeisha Monroe paced Mount Olive's offense with 21 points, including 15 from 3-point range. Alisa Jones contributed a double-double, 10 points and 13 rebounds. Senior point guard Keona Corley notched eight points and eight assists.

Shepherd, also a first-time regional participant, trailed by 11 early in the second half. The Rams eventually used their 18-point uprising to shatter Mount Olive's Elite Eight aspirations.

The Trojans pulled within 65-63 with 1:41 left in regulation, but Warehime buried a 3-pointer. Monroe drilled a 3-pointer with 65 seconds left.

Shepherd sealed the win with six consecutive free throws.

Mount Olive continued its historical season with a 62-56 upset of No. 12-ranked Indiana (Pa.) University, the regional's No. 1 seed, on Friday evening.

Monroe pumped in 16 points for the eighth-seeded Trojans, who were making their first-ever postseason appearance in school history.

Tomeka Prichard buried a 3-pointer with nine minutes left in regulation to give Mount Olive a lead it wouldn't relinquish. Corley's steal off an inbounds pass and layup put the Trojans up 54-50.

Indiana (27-5) climbed within 55-54, but Alisa Jones collected a steal and passed off to Corley. The senior point guard drew a foul and drained two free throws to make it 57-54.

The Crimson Hawks stayed within striking distance, but the Trojans kept their one-possession advantage on Jones' offensive putback.

Helen Moore canned two free throws with 16 seconds remaining to help seal the upset win. The sophomore finished with eight points and a team-leading eight rebounds.

Jones contributed seven rebounds and three blocked shots. Corley added 10 points and six rebounds, while Monroe registered five rebounds and five assists.

Mount Olive outscored Indiana 24-0 from 3-point range.