KEARNEY, Neb., - The top ranked FGCU women's basketball team cruised to an 83-64 win over #3 North Dakota in the Elite Eight in Kearney, Nebraska. The Eagles will advance to face Clayton State tomorrow night in the national semifinals at 9:30 pm. CSU defeated Texas A&M-Commerce 60-55 earlier in the evening.

The Fighting Sioux scored the four points of the game and took a 6-2 lead before a 6-0 Eagle run that gave FGCU its first lead of the game. Alex Nelson (Edinboro, Scotland) hit a three to begin the run. The two teams exchanged buckets until Danye Guinn hit a three to give the Sioux a 15-12 lead. With the score knotted at 19 all, the Eagles outscored the Fighting Sioux 29-11 to take a commanding 48-30 lead into the lockerroom. FGCU was on fire in the first half, shooting an amazing %68.0 from the floor in the first half. FGCU connected on 8-of-12 from the three point arc. Katie Schrader (Fort Collins, Col.) and Chelsea Dermyer (Fort Collins, Col.) combined for 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting from the floor.

The Eagles continued their swarming defense into the second half and scored the first four points of the second half to take a 52-30 lead. FGCU continued to build on the lead, taking a 59-34 lead with 15:49 to play. FGCU built their cushion to 70-36 before the Fighting Sioux went on an 8-0 run to cut the lead to 70-44. The outcome was never in doubt in the second half as FGCU led by as many as 31 in the period. FGCU coasted to an 83-64 win over #3 North Dakota.

Chelsea Dermyer led the Eagles with a career-high 21 while Schrader added 20 for the Eagles. Steffi Sorensen (Jacksonville, Fla.) added 17 and a team-high eight boards.

The Eagles will be back in action tomorrow night at 9:30 pm when they take on Clayton State.