GREYSON, KY - PBU's bid for a National Title came crashing to a halt Wednesday night as the second seeded Crimson Eagles were upset by eighth ranked Grace Bible College, 75-69.
It was somewhat of a disappointing ending for a group that had its hopes set on achieving their first NCCAA II National Championship, as the team many predicted to contend for the title ended up falling in the first round. But to Grace Bible's credit, the Lady Tigers surely didn't play like the eighth seed.
Grace overcame a 10 point deficit early in the first half to help advance the squad to the semi-finals. The Navy and White logged four players in double-figures in the effort and will go up against three-seeded Hillsdale on Friday at 6:00 pm.
Sparked by 19 points - including three 3-pointers - from junior guard Summer Mullen for the game, PBU took a 32-30 advantage into the break. An 8-0 run to begin the second stanza put the Crimson Eagles up 10 early in period, but the Lady Tigers made used a dominating two minute span to quickly erase PBU's gap, taking control with just under 15 minutes left in the back end of play.
It would mark the last time the Crimson Eagles would lead, as Grace held on for a six point victory by connecting on several clutch free throws down the stretch.
"Despite the outcome, I thought we played fairly well," noted head Coach Drew Watson. "We ran into a very good team tonight. There were a few stretches that we struggled, but overall I was proud of the collective effort we gave."
In addition to Mullen's 19, sophomore Dani Norton poured in 18 points, while senior Natalie Nolt reached double figures for just the second time this season ending with 10. Freshman point guard Dani Hooper chipped in a career high 9 points in the loss.
PBU continues play in the tournament on Friday at 2:00 pm. The Crimson Eagles will take on Southeastern University, a team that fell 94-69 to Hillside.
