LEXINGTON, VA -- Denison (27-2) defeated John Carroll (26-5), 86-67, in the third round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament on Friday night at Washington and Lee University.
 
The Blue Streaks cap their season with a 26-5 record, while the Big Red advance into the quarterfinal round for the first time in program history. Denison will face the winner of tonight’s third-round matchup between undefeated Washington and Lee (30-0) and Bethel (MN) (24-6). The quarterfinal round will be played at 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, in W&L’s Holekamp Gym in Lexington, Virginia. The winner of Saturday's national quarterfinal game will compete in the national semifinals, which is scheduled to be played on Thursday, March 19, in the Cregger Center in Salem, Virginia.

DENISON (27-2) 86, JOHN CARROLL (26-5) 67

• Denison built an early cushion and led 26-20 after the first quarter, while John Carroll stayed within reach behind senior guard/forward Ava Ryncarz (Aurora, OH/Aurora). The Blue Streaks found a rhythm from the perimeter in the second quarter, hitting six three-pointers in the period to keep pace, but Denison answered with an efficient 26-point quarter of its own and carried a 52-45 lead into halftime.
• John Carroll continued to push coming out of the break, but Denison put together its best stretch in the third quarter to create separation. The Big Red outscored the Blue Streaks 21-13 in the period, extending the lead to 73-58 entering the fourth. Denison maintained control down the stretch, finishing 16-for-18 at the free-throw line and closing out the 86-67 result.
• Denison was led by junior guard Ada Taute (Chicago, IL/St. Ignatius College Prep) with 24 points on 9-of-16 shooting, while junior guard Violet Mitchell (Downers Grove, IL/Downers Grove North) added 16 points on 6-of-9 from the floor. Sophomore post Anelly Mad-toingué (Wellesley, MA/Dana Hall) posted 12 points and 16 rebounds with three blocks, while first-year guard Molly Dorighi (Englewood, CO/Cherry Creek) and junior guard Abby Cooch (Clifton, VA/Bishop Ireton) also finished with 12 points apiece. Cooch also dished out a game-high six assists.
• For John Carroll, Ryncarz paced the offense with 20 points and five three-pointers while adding eight rebounds. Sophomore guard Nicci Finazzo (Willoughby Hills, OH/Gilmour Academy) scored 10 points off the bench, while senior guards Carmen Heuker (Botkins, OH/Botkin) and Graci Semptimphelter (Franklin, TN/Battle Ground Academy) finished with nine points each. Senior guard/forward Carly Perusek (Willoughby Hills, OH/Beaumont) contributed six rebounds and four assists as the Blue Streaks hit nine three-pointers as a team.
• Denison improves to 5-7 (.417) on the national stage and will advance to the NCAA Division III Quarterfinal Round for the first time in program history. John Carroll now holds a 4-5 (.444) in NCAA tournament play after advancing into the NCAA Division III Third Round for the first time in program history.