JACKSON, Tenn. - (Box Score) Azusa Pacific (Calif.) University eliminated Montana Tech in the final game of the first round of the 2010 NAIA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship. After being tied at the half, Azusa Pacific outscored the Orediggers 42-28 in the second half for the win.

Montana Tech led briefly 2-1 and again 4-3 but did not hold a lead for the rest of the first half. The Orediggers were able to produce six ties the half, including a 29-29 score at the break. Azusa Pacific led by as many as seven points, 26-19, before Montana Tech closed the half on a 10-3 run.

In the second half, Montana Tech continued their momentum created at the end of the first 20 minutes. The Orediggers jumped out to their biggest lead of the game, 37-31 at the 17:33 mark on a basket by Taesha Higbee.

Azusa Pacific, a two-seed in the national tournament, took control with a 25-6 run over the next eight minutes. The Cougars maintained a lead of at least seven points, before pushing the final score to 71-57, their largest lead of the night.

The Cougars were led by C.J. Hill with a game-high 24 points. Alex Moore-Porter added 21 points and 13 rebounds for her double-double.

The Orediggers were led by Higbee with 14 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Jenessa Todd and Lindsie Wilson added 13 and 10 points respectively.

Azusa Pacific (26-6) advances to the second round to face Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) on Friday at 9:45 p.m. Montana Tech ends their season with a 19-10 record.