Schimmel sisters and team fall to rivals in NCAA championship

Wednesday, April 10, 2013  

Two sisters from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation in Oregon made history by playing in the final game of the NCAA women's basketball championship on Tuesday night.

University of Louisville junior Shoni Schimmel and sophomore Jude Schimmel shot to fame after helping the fifth-seated Cardinals secure a spot in the final game. But they fell to rival University of Connecticut Huskies by 93-60.

"They knew what they needed to do to stop us," Shoni Schimmel told the AP after the loss.

The sisters are believed to be the first Native Americans to compete in the NCAA final.

Get the Story:
Shoni and Jude Schimmel of Louisville helping Natives win a bigger game (The Oregonian 4/10)
A Tough End to a Brilliant Season: Louisville and the Schimmel Sisters Fall to UConn in National Title Game (Indian Country Today 4/9)
UConn defeats Louisville 93-60 as Schimmel sisters struggle in national title game (AP 4/9)

Related Stories:
Schimmel sisters relish new roles as ambassadors of 'rez ball' (4/9)
Umatilla sisters head to final game of NCAA basketball tourney (4/8)
Native Sun News: Umatilla sisters take spotlight with NCAA win (4/5)
Umatilla sisters propel basketball team to NCAA's Final Four (4/3)
Review: Shoni Schimmel overcomes history 'Off The Rez' (05/16)
Learning Channel to air 'Off The Rez' documentary May 14 (04/28)
Interview: Filmmaker follows Shoni Schimmel 'Off the Rez' (04/25)
Documentary follows Shoni Schimmel, Umatilla basketball star (04/04)