The Midwest Collegiate Conference continues to shine at the NAIA Division II National Championships in Sioux City, as both Iowa Wesleyan and Grand View advanced to the final eight with Sweet 16 wins on Friday.

Both the Tigers and Vikings scored impressive victories by defeating higher seeded teams on Friday to move to the Elite 8 of the tourney. IWC, a #3 seed in the tourney, defeated #2 seed Jamestown (N.D.) 72-60 in the morning. Fourth-seeded Grand View then followed in the next game with a huge 69-61 win over Hastings (Neb.), a #1 seed and the team ranked #1 in the country at the end of the regular season. It is the first time the MCC has had two teams in the final eight of the tourney.

Iowa Wesleyan moved to the round of 8 for the first time in school history on the strength of 19 second half points by MCC Player of the Year Jessi Beachey. The Tigers also recorded their 27th win of the season, continuing to build on a school record of wins in a season.

Grand View followed up Wesleyan's win with possibly the surprise of the tournament so far and advanced to the third round of the NAIA D-II tourney for the first time in school history by knocking off Hastings, the top ranked team in the country for the final four weeks of the regular season. Jennifer Jorgensen, Bailey Schechinger and Jamie Sickles combined for 52 points and the Vikings improved to 27-8 this season and became the first team to knock off a #1 seed in this year's tourney.

The Tigers and Vikings both will have national quarterfinal games on Saturday. Grand View will face #3 seed Shawnee State (Ohio) at 1 p.m., and IWC will take on the winner of Friday's game between #1 seed Northwestern (Iowa) and #4 seed Sterling (Kan.) at 3 p.m. Games are available to view online at www.watchnaia.com.

NAIA Division II Women's Basketball Tournament Info