News Release

DECORAH, Iowa — Anne Straate scored 25 points and yanked down 17 rebounds as Luther College defeated Buena Vista University 95-88 in overtime in the semifinal round of the Iowa Conference Tournament. The Norse scored six of the first seven points in the extra frame as they advanced to the title game at Simpson College.

The contest featured 13 ties and was tight the whole way. The largest lead of the game belonged to Luther, a 10-point margin early in the second half which was countered by a 7-0 Buena Vista run.

Buena Vista led 78-76 with four seconds remaining in regulation. Out of a timeout, Luther's Kylie Bestul nailed a jumper to send the game into overtime. The Beavers would never own the lead again.

Kelli Staley, who was held scoreless the last time the teams met, registered a team-high 23 points and eight rebounds to lead Buena Vista. Tracy Hartwig added 19 points and five assists. Katie Maguire, who was 0 for 7 from three-point range, contributed 15 points and eight assists. Lindsey Meyer added 11 points as the Beavers concluded their season at 17-10.

Luther, which improved to 21-4, had four other players in addition to Straate reach double figures. Bestul, Christina Gaard, and Danielle Dunnwald all scored 12 points apiece. Erica Svien had 10.

Luther dominated the boards, out-rebounding Buena Vista 46-23. The Norse shot 36 of 64 (56%) from the floor. The Beavers were 30 of 65 (46%) from the field and made just two field goals in overtime.

Luther will now face Simpson on Saturday for the right to advance to the NCAA National Tournament.

Buena Vista University vs Luther College
02/23/06 7:00 p.m. at Luther College Regents Center
At Luther College Regents Center

LUTHER COLLEGE 95, BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY 88

BUENA VISTA UNIVERSITY (17-10)
STALEY, Kelli 9-17 3-3 23; HARTWIG, Tracy 6-10 2-2 19; MAGUIRE, Katie 5-14
5-6 15; MEYER, Lindsey 4-8 0-0 11; GRIGGS, Jess 2-9 2-2 8; ERNST, Katie 3-3
0-0 6; EBEL, Katie 1-3 3-4 6; SCHWEITZBERGER, Jenn 0-1 0-0 0; PUTNEY,
Melissa 0-0 0-0 0; MOORE, Tia 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 30-65 15-17 88.

LUTHER COLLEGE (21-4)
STRAATE, Anne 9-16 7-9 25; GAARD, Christina 5-7 1-3 12; DUNNWALD, Danielle
4-10 2-4 12; BESTUL, Kylie 6-6 0-0 12; SVIEN, Erica 5-6 0-0 10; O'BRIEN,
Melissa 3-10 0-0 9; EICHER, Jill 3-7 3-4 9; JENSEN, Rachel 1-2 4-6 6;
TEKIPPE, Ashley 0-0 0-0 0; MILLER, Jackie 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 36-64 17-26 95.

Buena Vista University........   34   44   10  -   88
Luther College................   37   41   17  -   95

3-point goals-Buena Vista University 13-27 (HARTWIG, Tracy 5-7; MEYER,
Lindsey 3-5; GRIGGS, Jess 2-3; STALEY, Kelli 2-4; EBEL, Katie 1-1; MAGUIRE,
Katie 0-7), Luther College 6-14 (O'BRIEN, Melissa 3-7; DUNNWALD, Danielle
2-5; GAARD, Christina 1-1; EICHER, Jill 0-1). Fouled out--Buena Vista
University-None, Luther College-None. Rebounds-Buena Vista University 23
(STALEY, Kelli 8), Luther College 46 (STRAATE, Anne 17). Assists-Buena Vista
University 18 (MAGUIRE, Katie 8), Luther College 25 (EICHER, Jill 8). Total
fouls-Buena Vista University 21, Luther College 14. A-625