BISMARCK, N.D. – Winona State women's basketball head coach Scott Ballard got his milestone 500^th win Wednesday night as the Warriors (21-8) defeated the University of Mary in the opening round of the NSIC tournament. Ballard is the 29th coach in Division II history to reach the 500 win milestone. The Warriors will advance to the quarterfinals in Sioux Falls, S.D. Saturday February 25^th, they will face Augustana (23-7) at 5:30 p.m.
 
Liz Evenocheck picked up where she left off last weekend, knocking down a three-pointer to get the Warriors on the board first. Shortly thereafter, the Marauders took the lead until about mid-way through the first quarter, when Evenocheck would connect on another three-pointer to give the Warriors an 8-7 advantage. The Warriors would increase the lead up to 14-11 by the end of the quarter.
 
Layups from Jenny Weiland and Kayla Timmerman would extend the lead to five a minute into the second quarter. The Marauders would knot up the scores at 18, three minutes in and would hold on to a two-point lead until Arika Wooldridge would get a layup to fall and put the Warriors were back on top by two. With jumpers from Wooldridge and Tara Roelofs, the Warriors took a 29-24 advantage into the locker room.
 
The third quarter was played tight as neither team had any separation more than four points, even though the Marauders outscored the Warriors 21-15. The lead exchanged hands once before the Marauders would hold a one-point lead going into the final quarter at 45-44.
 
In the fourth quarter the Warriors would outscore the Marauders 20-14 to hang on to their lead. Hannah McGlone scored eight points and Kayla Timmerman and Jenny Tuttle each knocked down a three-pointer to help the Warriors maintain their edge. The lead changed hands four times in the final quarter of action, but in the end the Warriors would hold on to their advantage for a 64-59 victory and advance to the quarterfinals of the NSIC tournament.
 
The Warriors shot 44 percent from the field and made six of 17 three pointers. The Warriors made all four of their free throw opportunities. The Marauders shot 46 percent from the field and made six of 23 three-pointers. The Marauders connected on five of five, free throw opportunities.
 
Jenny Tuttle and Kayla Timmerman both scored 15 points to lead the Warriors in scoring. Hanna McGlone added 12 points and a team-high seven rebounds. Arika Wooldridge, in her 11 minutes of action, chipped in 10 points going five of seven from the field.
 
The Warriors will play Augustana on Saturday at the Sanford Health Pentagon in Sioux Falls, S.D. at 5:30 p.m.

Scott Ballard NCAA D2 Breakdown
 

Career Breakdown
School	Years	Record	W/L Pct
Central Mo.	9	167-90	.650
Mo. Southern St.	5	102-42	.708
Winona St.	12	231-150	.606
Career	26	500-282	.639