SIOUX CITY, Iowa - (Box Score) Even though both teams finished the game shooting over 40 percent, it was the 35 trips to the free-throw line by Iowa Wesleyan that made a difference, as the Tigers downed Walsh (Ohio) 79-68 in first-round action at the 19th Annual State Farm-NAIA Division II Women's Basketball National Championship at the Tyson Events Center/Gateway Arena on Thursday.

Iowa Wesleyan, now 27-6, moves into the second round for the second time in four trips to Sioux City . The Tigers will take on Jamestown (N.D.) at 10:15 a.m. Friday. Walsh was making its second appearance in the national championship after winning it all in its first and only other showing in 1998. The Cavaliers' season comes to a close with a mark of 24-10.

Both teams were statistically even heading into the break, but Iowa Wesleyan changed the pace and separated from the Cavaliers in the second half, pushing a six-point lead to 13. The Tigers held at least a seven-point advantage for the final 7:53 of the contest. It was Iowa Wesleyan's 28 points in 35 attempts from the charity stripe that proved to be the deciding factor, as Walsh only managed to get to the line 10 times.

Anna Jones came into the national championship averaging 10.3 ppg, was the go-to player for the Tigers, scoring a team-high 21 points on 5-of-8 shooting. She took full advantage of 12 trips to the free-throw line by picking up 11 freebies. She also dished out a game-high six assists. Jill Ginder and Jessie Beachey added 19 and 15 points, respectively.

Walsh had a trio of players register double figures, led by Cara Bedard's 14 points, followed by Jessie Miller with 11 and Kayla Kovach with 10. Bedard also had eight rebounds and three blocks.