The women’s basketball team prepares for a well-deserved break after winning its second-consecutive NAIA Division 1 women’s basketball championship title.
The Stars, ranked second, defeated fourth-ranked Campbellsville, 80-63, at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Mo
Senior Guard Rateska Brown led the team with 29 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three steals. Brown is finished with her time as part of the team and said it is a bittersweet feeling.
“My four years went by so fast, but I am blessed, proud and hooded to have been a part of such a great tradition and program,” Brown said. “I feel accomplished because I’ve dreamed of moments like this. Ending my senior year and college career with a national title and ring is a great feeling.”
Senior Guard Yvonte Neal posted 11 points and five rebounds, while Senior Center, Ouleymatou Coulibaly posted 19 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.
Senior Center Marisha Wallace added 11 points and nine rebounds and Senior Guard Janay Borum added four points, four rebounds, nine assists and three steals.
“I knew one of our strengths was offensive transition, so we had to get one and done,” Coach Latricia Trammell said. “If we kept rebounding and pushing it, we had a great chance at this. We always preach offensive rebounding.”
Trammell took her second consecutive Phyllis Holmes coach of the year award. She improved to 85-10 in three seasons as coach. Trammell earned her 150th victory as a college coach, moving to 150-86 in seven years, including four as Western State (Colo.) boss.
“It is absolutely amazing,” Trammell said. “It feels just as good as it did last year, especially with this group of seniors. I am so proud of our girls. They really fought this game.”
“We wanted it, and we knew this was it. I knew we had to continue to rebound and do what we do best – and that is transition – and I thought we did a really good job with that.”
OCU used eight unanswered points to create a first-half 12-point lead. Coulibaly rejected a Lindsey Burd shot, then scored in transition off Borum’s assist.
Brown hit free throws, then junior forward Catherine Kruschke knocked in a putback. Brown capped the run with a bucket off Neal’s setup to put the Stars in front 29-17 with 5:32 left in the first half.
The Stars tacked on a 10-1 spree. Brown ignited the run by jab-stepping, then nailing a 3-pointer. Neal drilled a trey, and Brown tallied a fastbreak basket off Borum’s steal and feed. Neal had a breakaway layup using Brown’s help for a 39-23 OCU advantage with 1:25 to go before halftime.
In the second half, Neal canned a trey to put the Stars ahead 46-28 with 17:03 to go. OCU matched that 18-point cushion when Brown buried a 3 for a 65-47 advantage at the 7:04 mark.
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