UNION, N.J. -- Melissa Beyruti scored 18 points and Cardiss Jackman added 15 as host Kean University defeated the University of Chicago 70-56 in the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship sectional semifinals Friday night.

Kean (28-3) outscored the Maroons 24-2 during the first 10 minutes of the first half and held the lead the rest of the night.

After falling behind 24-2, Chicago (22-6) used a 9-0 run to trim the Cougars' lead to 24-11 with 6:52 left in the opening period. By halftime, Kean held a 36-22 advantage.

Chicago closed to within single digits for the first time in the second half, 41-32, on senior guard Nofi Mojidi's (Silver Spring, Md./ Bullis School) layup with 15:10 remaining in the game. Mojidi finished the game with 18 points.

Kean increased its lead to 54-41 midway through the second stanza on a pair of foul shots from Angelica Bermudez.

Chicago got within single digits for the last time, 54-45, when freshman forward Karly Kasper (Palos Park, Ill./ Stagg) made a layup at the 8:57 mark.

Chicago held a 43-39 advantage on the boards, but committed 21 turnovers to 11 for the Cougars. The Maroons shot 34% from the floor and 58% from the foul line.

Kean's 70 points and .417 field goal percentage were the best marks by a Chicago opponent in 28 games on the season.

Sophomore forward Molly Hackney (East Lansing, Mich./ Lansing Catholic) led all scorers with 19 points for Chicago. She also shared game-high rebounding honors with Kean's Chari' Cooper, each with 10.

Junior guard Alex Leach (Gurnee, Ill./ Warren) added 10 points for Chicago, including three 3-point field goals.

Chicago's sectional semifinal (national round of 16) appearance marked the Maroons' farthest-ever advance in NCAA postseason play.

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