JACKSON, Tenn. -- In a season of ups and downs, the Lindsey Wilson College women's basketball team experienced its best moment of the season here tonight beating Oklahoma Baptist University 78-74 in the opening round of the NAIA National Tournament at Oman Arena.

The Blue Raiders advance to Friday's second round where they will face Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) College who beat McKendree (Ill.) College 69-49.

Lindsey Wilson (22-11) used a 25-4 second half run to blow open a tight game en route to the program's first-ever win (in five appearances) at the national tournament.

"This win means so much; and it's even more satisfying that this group is the first one to win a game here (at the national tournament)," Lindsey Wilson coach John B. Wethington said. "We've been close, but it's not like winning one. This is very special."

After trailing 33-32 at the break, the Blue Raiders used an 8-2 run to take a 40-35 lead four minutes into the second half.

The second-seeded Lady Bison (29-5) scored six of the next seven points to tie the game for the third and final time at 41-41.

The Blue Raiders -- seeded No. 7 in their quarter of the draw -- used the next 7:26 to take a 21-point lead.

"We did a tremendous job of executing during that stretch," Wethington said. "It may have been our best seven or eight minutes of the season."

Lindsey Wilson made 5-of-6 three-pointers during the run led by senior guard Kera Gibson's three long-range shots. Gibson finished with a career-high 20 points and tied a career-high with six three three-pointers as the Blue Raiders made 52.6 percent (10-of-19) of their shots from deep.

"Kera needs just a little daylight and today she really knocked down some big shots," Wethington said. "You expect veteran players to raise their level in tournament play and that's exactly what Kera did."

The Lady Bison responded to cut the Lindsey Wilson lead into single digits with four minutes remaining and crept within six (77-71) with 29.4 seconds left.

"They are a tremendous basketball team and we knew they would make a run," Wethington said. "We were fortunate to make a few free throws to secure the win."

Lindsey Wilson senior guard Krystal Jackson extended the Blue Raider lead to 78-71 with one of two free throws with 17.9 seconds. Jackson finished with 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

OBU sophomore guard Jayme Glover hit a meaningless three-pointer with 7.3 seconds left to cut the Lindsey Wilson lead to 78-74. The Lady Bison could get no closer.

"I was very proud of the way we fought back after such a bad start," Wethington said. "It's a credit to our senior leadership that refused to end their season and their careers with two straight losses.

Oklahoma Baptist -- making its 13th national tournament appearance -- jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first 2:20 of the game. The Blue Raiders chipped away at the Lady Bison first-half lead and tied the game at 20-20 with 8:20 left.

Lindsey Wilson managed to tie the game on three occasions in the opening half but failed to take the lead heading into the locker room down 33-32.

"We played pretty poorly in the first half on the defensive end," Wethington said. "We didn't move our feet and that caused us to get into foul trouble. I was actually pretty happy to be just down one at halftime"

Lindsey Wilson finished the game shooting 45.6 percent (26-of-57) from the field against the NAIA's leader in defensive field goal percentage. The Lady Bison entered the game allowing their opponents just 33.3 percent shooting on the season.

Oklahoma Baptist finished making 49.1 percent (28-of-57) from the field, but hit just 5-of-19 three-pointers. The Lady Bison out-rebounded Lindsey Wilson -- who entered the game second in the nation in rebounding differential -- 38-31.

Lindsey Wilson senior forward Moneta Anderson (12 points) and senior center Terran Duncan (11 points) joined Gibson and Jackson in double figures.

Oklahoma Baptist sophomore guard Taujhnae Travis finished with a game-high 24 points. Senior forward Betsy Simmons and junior guard Jennifer Jupin added 14 and 13 points respectively.