Luther defeated CUW, 72-51 [box score]

CUW falls to Luther in NCAA first round
DECORAH, Iowa -- Ashley TeKippe tallied 13 points, 11 rebounds and three blocked shots and four other players were in double figures as host Luther College rolled past Concordia University Wisconsin, 72-51, in NCAA Tournament first-round action.

The Norse (23-4) shot 51.8 percent from the floor in winning for the 17th consecutive time and for the 22nd consecutive time at home in their first national tournament appearance since 1998. Blair Ernst paced Luther with 14 points and added seven rebounds and three blocks; Christina Gaard tallied 13 points and five rebounds and Jackie Miller and Jill Eicher chipped in with 10 points each.

The Falcons (23-4) were paced by Megan Sopkowicz's 13 points. Asia Beckum was also in double figures with 12 points. Concordia shot only 34 percent from the field.

The Norse led from the opening tap, racing to a 14-2 advantage and hitting on seven of their first 10 shots. The margin ballooned to 19 midway through the stanza before the hosts settled for a 38-24 halftime lead.

The Falcons could move no closer than 15 points the rest of the way as their 19-game winning streak was halted.

The Norse scored an amazing 46 points in the paint, outscoring the visitors 46-22 around the hoop. Luther held a sizable 39-28 spread on the glass.

The Norse advance to the second round to face Midwest Conference member Carroll College (Wis.), with the winner advancing to next weekend's sectional round..

Courtesy of Luther College, Sports Information Department, March 2, 2007.