The Governors State women’s basketball team made winning look routine with a dominant 74-53 victory over Arizona Christian on Friday night that propelled the Jaguars into the second round of the NAIA National Tournament.
Right from the jump, GovState asserted its dominance, outscoring Arizona Christian 26-6 in the first quarter. That start set the tone for the rest of the night, as the Jaguars never allowed their opponent to find their footing.
Balanced Attack Fuels Jaguars’ Victory
Senior forward Tabetha Jones led the charge, putting on a clinic in the paint with 22 points on efficient 7-of-10 shooting, securing six rebounds and dishing out four assists. Jones was also a force on defense, snagging five steals.
Zareia Chevre was a rebounding machine, finishing with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds, controlling the glass and keeping Arizona Christian from gaining any second-chance opportunities. Kalvina Eubanks added 12 points, knocking down two three-pointers and going a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
Cencere McDaniel chipped in nine points and three assists, while Da’Naria Washington contributed six points and five rebounds, proving yet again how deep and dangerous this team is.
Off the bench, Louisa Schmidt was a perfect 2-for-2 from the field and added six points, while Alayah Sprattling and Izzy Agredano each hit a three-pointer to help keep the momentum in GovState’s favor.
Defensive Intensity Seals the Win
While the offense shined, the Jaguars’ defensive intensity was the real difference-maker. GovState forced 10 steals and held Arizona Christian to just 46.4% shooting overall and a mere 27.3% from beyond the arc. The Jaguars also dominated the boards, outrebounding their opponent 48-37 and limiting second-chance opportunities.
Even as Arizona Christian tried to rally in the fourth quarter, GovState’s defensive pressure never wavered, sealing the deal with a commanding 21-point victory.
Next Stop: Dakota State
With the win, Governors State advances to face host school Dakota State (25-4) in the tournament’s second round. The showdown is set for Saturday, March 15. A win would send the Jaguars to the National Finals, the Sweet 16 in Sioux City, Iowa, March 20-25.
The Jaguars have been rolling all season, and with their next challenge just around the corner, they’ll look to keep the momentum going on their quest for a national championship.