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COLUMBUS, Ohio – The UWF women's basketball team was unable to contain the strong shooters of California Baptist, falling 77-69 in the NCAA Division II Women's Elite Eight quarterfinals at Alumni Hall on the campus of Ohio Dominican University.
 
UWF (28-7) saw the greatest season in program history come to a close on Tuesday. The Argonauts shot 41 percent but were just 8-of-18 at the free throw line and outrebounded 51-to-42 – marking just the fifth time all year that has occurred.

"We are disappointed with the loss today obviously," UWF head coach Stephanie Lawrence Yelton said. "We would love to be advancing and going to the final four, but that 6-of-10 from the three point line in the third quarter kind of did us in. We left ten free throws out there, and when you lose by eight, but you are leaving ten free throws out there  - that just hits you in the gut a little bit.

"I thought overall our team came prepared, they were super relaxed for their first time being in the Elite Eight. They were just soaking it all in and enjoying every minute of it. The fight and determination that they showed to try and battle back in the game was extraordinary."
 
Senior Katie Bobos led the team with 20 points and 15 rebounds. The four-year player from Lowell, Indiana finished her career ranking fifth in school history with 1,362 points and first with 1,005 rebounds.
 
Classmate Alex Coyne, who made a tremendous impact on the program when she transferred in two years ago, had seven points, eight assists and three steals. She ended her UWF career with a school record 423 assists and her 6.8 assists per game over the past two seasons ranks third all-time in Gulf South Conference annals.
 
Junior Courtney Meyer had a very strong game, finishing with 16 points, 12 boards and two blocks for her seventh double-double of the season.
 
But on Tuesday, the third quarter – and more specifically, a 2:25 stretch – was what kept the Argonauts from advancing to the national semifinals. Cal Baptist led 37-35 at the half but came out on fire after the break.
 
The Lancers opened the frame making 5-of-6 from outside, including 4-of-4 during a 14-0 run that saw them extend their lead to 56-37 with 5:15 on the clock. Erin Asher and Kamille Diaz each had two triples during the run in which UWF missed on four attempts and had two turnovers. They combined for 22 points in the third alone as CBU outscored UWF 26-15.
 
From there, the Argonauts were only able to get within single digits twice during the fourth quarter.
 
CBU (35-2) won its 32nd-consecutive game while shooting 41 percent. The Lancers came into the game ranked second nationally with 9.7 3-pointers made per game and finished 13-of-34, with eight coming after halftime. Cassidy Mihalko led all players with 21 points and nine rebounds. Four different players made two and Diaz had a game-high five on her way to 19 points and nine assists.
 
The Lancers advance to the semifinals where they will face Virginia Union on Wednesday evening.