SIOUX CITY, Iowa - (Box Score) Shawnee State (Ohio) opened the 19th Annual State Farm-NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship with a 79-40 victory over Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.) on Wednesday at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena.

The Bears improve to 26-6 and advance to the second round, playing the winner of the Aquinas (Mich.)/Saint Francis (Ind.) matchup on Friday at 8:30 a.m. Haskell Indian Nations, who was playing in its first-ever national championship, exits the event and closes out its season with a 20-9 record.

Holding only a six-point 31-24 halftime lead, Shawnee State surged in the second half. The Bears shot 56 percent from the floor (19-34) and 78 percent from behind the arc (7-9), outscoring the Indians 48-16. Four of Shawnee State's starters finished in double-figures, led by a 13-point showing from senior guard Mallory Albers. Alison Meyer chipped in 12 points and pulled down seven rebounds. Both Jill Cropper and Whitney Williams added 10 points.

The duo of Maria Parker and Autumn Burtt were the leading scorers for Haskell Indian Nations, with each contributing 10 points. Justina George, the Indians' leading scorer, was limited to five points shooting 2-of-10. Turnovers plagued the Indians, giving the ball away 27 times in the contest.