Casper, WY – The Eastern Arizona College women's basketball team is headed to the NJCAA Elite Eight after a hard-fought 53-46 victory over No. 7 McLennan Community College in the Sweet Sixteen on Thursday morning.

The Lady Monsters came out firing, controlling the pace early and establishing a commanding 36-24 lead at halftime. Their defense held strong, limiting McLennan's offensive opportunities while capitalizing on key scoring plays.

But the Highland Lassies refused to go down without a fight. In the fourth quarter, McLennan closed the gap, making it a four-point game at 43-39 with just over six minutes remaining. With momentum shifting, tensions rose as officials reviewed a foul with 5:20 left, ultimately awarding EAC's Ashlynn Chlarson a trip to the free-throw line.

Down the stretch, Eastern Arizona relied on its composure and defensive discipline. Sarah Deng extended the lead by sinking a pair of free throws, putting the Lady Monsters up 51-46 with just 52 seconds on the clock. McLennan desperately attempted to extend the game by forcing late fouls, but EAC held firm. Stephany Goncalves made one of two from the line, followed by Deng sealing the victory with another free throw with 10 seconds remaining.

Deng's clutch performance earned her the Jersey Mike's Subs Player of the Game honor, finishing with 12 points, five rebounds, and a perfect 3-for-3 from beyond the arc. Chlarson anchored the boards with 10 rebounds, while Goncalves added 10 points and a team-high five assists.

As a team, the Lady Monsters shot 13-for-53 from the field, pulled down 35 rebounds, and totaled five assists. Their bench contributed 12 points, and they made 18 of 34 free-throw attempts.

With the win, Eastern Arizona punches its ticket to the NJCAA Elite Eight , where they will take the court on Saturday, March 29, at 11:15 a.m. Arizona time. Fans can catch all the action live on ESPN+ as the Lady Monsters continue their tournament run.