Anna Kiel scored a game-high 23 points to lead 11th-ranked Northwestern to an 83-60 upset win over 6th-ranked Eastern Oregon in the second round of the NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship played this afternoon in Sioux City, Iowa. 

NAIA Press Release | 

Northwestern improves its record to 24-8 on the year and advances to the quarterfinals for the first time since the 2013-14 season. They will play 19th-ranked University of St. Francis (Ill.) at 6pm on Saturday.

The Red Raiders shot nearly 60% for the game and scored the most points against the highly regarded Eastern Oregon defense this season. (previous high was 79 vs Montana Western). 

Kiel led Northwestern in scoring for the second straight game, totaling 23 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double. Both Kassidy De Jong and Renee Maneman added 15 points each with De Jong leading the way on the boards with 11, her second straight double-double. Not to be outdone, Maneman dished out 10 assists for her seventh double-double of the season.

Coach Yaw's squad fell behind early as Eastern Oregon made their first four three-point attempts, two by Payton Parrish, to open up a 14-6 lead. An 11-2 Northwestern run, all scored by De Jong and Kiel, put the Red Raiders in front 17-16 but the Mountaineers had the advantage by the end of the quarter, 24-23.

The game remained close as the teams traded baskets for the first six minutes of the second quarter. Tied at 35, a basket by Kiel began a 9-0 Northwestern run to close the half to give the Red Raiders the lead for good, 44-35. 

Four straight points by Darbi Gustafson extended the Northwestern surge to 13-0 as they held the Mountaineers scoreless for over six minutes, dating back to the second quarter. By the three-minute mark, Northwestern held an 18-point advantage and they followed with another 10-2 run for a commanding 68-43 lead by quarters end. 

Northwestern had an unbelievable 44-24 edge on the boards, pulling down 10 on the offensive end.

Eastern Oregon had won 25 straight coming into Friday's game and ends the season with a 31-3 record. Stormee Van Belle led the Mountaineers in scoring with 21, followed by Parrish with 15. After making their first four three-pointers, Eastern Oregon went 4-17 the rest of the way and shot 38% for the game.