March 1, 2008
MARYVILLE WOMEN THREE-PEAT AS SLIAC TOURNEY CHAMPIONS

ST. LOUIS - Maryville University defeated the Griffins of Fontbonne University 83-72 to capture their third consecutive St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SLIAC) Women's Basketball Tournament Championship. Maryville improves to 24-3 overall with the victory, extends their current win streak to 20 games and receives an automatic qualifying bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.

Maryville jumped out to an early lead and held a double digit lead midway through the first half. Fontbonne fought back, however, cutting their deficit to four points at the 5:19 mark. Maryville answered with a 25-13 run to end the half and took a 16-point lead heading into halftime.

The Saints continued to extend their lead in the second half and led by as many as 20 points. Fontbonne remained patient and slowly chipped away at the lead, cutting the margin to single digits with 4:41 left on the clock. Maryville went for a period of five minutes where they did not score a field goal, but the Griffins were only able to get within eight points of the lead. Maryville's Sara Wemlinger broke that drought with a layup at 1:04 to make the score 78-67. Fontbonne's Lauren Crain then hit a three-pointer on the next possession to make it an eight-point ball game. The Saints hit 5-of-8 from the charity stripe in the final 57 seconds, however, to hang on to the victory.

Maryville shot 50.9 percent (28-of-55) from the field, including 50.0 percent (6-of-12) from behind the arc. Fontbonne was 41.1 percent (23-of-56) from the field, 40.0 percent (6-of-15) from three-point range and 80.0 percent (20-of-25) from the free throw line. The Griffins out rebounded the Saints 37-33, but Maryville scored 24 points off 21 Fontbonne turnovers.

The Saints' Allie Wilhelm claimed Tournament MVP honors for the second consecutive season after scoring a career-high 26 points on 11-of-17 (.647) shooting from the field and grabbing nine rebounds. Megan McCabe was also named to the All-Tournament Team. She had 10 points, four assists and four steals. Wemlinger finished with 14 points, while Courtney Bergheger had 11 points and three assists. Toni Picerno also chipped in with nine points and six rebounds.

Fontbonne had three players score in double figures and was led by Heather McAllister with 18 points on 8-of-12 (.667) shooting from the field. Crain and Kristin Chamberlain added 14 and 12 points respectively. Chamberlain also grabbed a team-high seven rebounds, while Crain and McAllister, who were both named All-Tournament, had six boards apiece.

Fontbonne finished the season with an overall record of 17-10.

2008 SLIAC Women's Basketball All-Tournament Team
Meredith Banal - Greenville
Sierra Shipley - Blackburn
Lauren Crain - Fontbonne
Heather McAllister - Fontbonne
Megan McCabe - Maryville
Allie Wilhelm - Maryville (MVP)