Wash U knocks out the champ

Jodie Luther tied for the team high with 14 points as Rochester's run continues to the Final Four. Photo by Jeffrey Levy

The 2010 Division III women's basketball national semifinals will feature a rematch, a relatively recent champion and an unranked surprise. Washington University assured that this year will also crown a new national champion by beating last year's title winner George Fox 59-52. Saturday night's women's scoreboard.

In a rematch of last year's national championship, the Bears and Bruins battled back and forth until midway through the second half when Washington U. used an 11-4 run to create some breathing room. George Fox shot 3-for-21 (14 percent) from three while Claire Schaeperkoetter scored 16 points off the bench for the Bears in the victory. Washington U., who won four consecutive national championships from 1998-2001, will appear in its ninth Final Four.

For the second year in a row, the Bears will face Amherst in the national semifinals. The Lord Jeffs knocked off Babson 80-65 and remain undefeated. They will try to follow George Fox and Howard Payne who won the last two national championships without a loss. Babson fought to within three points a couple times in the second half, but couldn't draw even. Five players scored double digits for the Lord Jeffs who will appear in their second Final Four. Kathleen King had 27 points and eight rebounds for the Beavers. 

Hope hosted the national semifinals the last two seasons and came up one win short of reaching that level. This year the Flying Dutch took that next step by beating UW-Stevens Point 71-64 at Illinois Wesleyan, giving them the chance to play for the title there next weekend. Liz Ellis drilled a clutch three pointer to give Hope a six point lead late. Carrie Snikkers was 9-for-13 from the floor en route to 21 points, adding 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Britta Peterson scored 30 for the Pointers in a spectacular shooting showcase. The Flying Dutch, who won titles in 1990 and 2006, will appear in their third Final Four.

Unranked Rochester stunned Kean 68-65 in New Jersey to return to the national semifinals for the first time since 2004. The Yellowjackets complete a weekend in which they ended Christopher Newport's undefeated season and then became the only Division III team to beat Kean. Melissa Alwardt's jumper with 7:39 remaining broke the 13th and final tie of the game by giving Rochester a 58-56 lead. The Yellowjackets rode their post players down the stretch and survived a desperation three from Brittany Powell to advance. Rochester will appear in its third Final Four, meeting Hope on Friday.