MU tops Dayton 84-65 to advance in NCAA Tournament

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --Natisha Hiedeman scored the first 15 points for the Marquette women's basketball team, setting the tone as the Golden Eagles took down Dayton, 84-65 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament on Friday afternoon at the KFC Yum! Center.

Hiedeman's scorching day broke a slew of Marquette (24-9) program records. Her 32 points are the most by a Golden Eagles in the NCAA Tournament, topping 24 from Christina Quaye in 2004, while her eight- three-pointers made and 12 treys attempted are also program records. She also ties a Marquette program record for three-pointers in any game and becomes the first player in the last five seasons to record 30 points, five assists and five steals.

For the 19th time this season, the Golden Eagles had four players record double digits as Erika Davenport recorded her 10th double-double of the season with 16 points and 13 boards, Allazia Blockton tallied 15 points and Danielle King added 11 points. With eight points, Amani Wilborn reached her 1,000th career point becoming the fourth Marquette player to reach the milestone. The Golden Eagles are just the fifth team in the NCAA to have at least four, active 1,000-point scorers.

Hiedeman scored MU's first 15 points and had 18 in the first quarter, helping the Golden Eagles to a 22-15 lead at the end of the frame. Davenport hit a layup for a 17-15 lead at the 1:33 mark and MU did not trail again.

The Golden Eagles shot 44.1 percent in the game, including going 12-26 from beyond-the-arc, and took 22 points off of 19 Dayton turnovers.

The Flyers were led by Jenna Burdette with 19 points, while JaVonna Layfield recorded her fifth straight double-double with 11 points and 13 boards.

Marquette advances to the second round of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2011 and fifth time in program history. The Golden Eagles will meet top-seeded Louisville in the second round on Sunday, March 18 at a time still to be determined.

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