The Lady Bobcats saw their magical run in the NAIA tourney come to an end in the championship game. (photo/Bobcats athletics)
Top-seeded Saint Francis (Ind.) capped a perfect season with a 75-68 win over No. 7 seeded College of the Ozarks (Mo.) in the title game of the 2014 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship. The title is the first-ever for the Cougars, who previously finished runner-up in 1999.
In the first half, neither team had more than a six point advantage. Saint Francis had a 37-36 lead into the half. Following a combined 0-for-8 start from the field by both teams to open the second half, a 7-0 run gave Saint Francis a 44-36 lead with 16 minutes left in the game. College of the Ozarks brought the Cougars’ lead back to three, 55-52, on a basket by Maggie McMenamy, however Saint Francis answered once again with a 3-pointer by Emily Montgomery to make it 58-52 with under eight minutes to play. A 10-3 run by Saint Francis gave the Cougars the momentum and a 65-53 lead with under three minutes remaining. The defense for Saint Francis shined during the stretch, holding College of Ozarks without a field goal for more than six minutes.
The Bobcats ended the night shooting 40.7 percent (24-for-59) from the field. College of the Ozarks ends the season with a 27-10 record.
2014 NAIA Division II Women’s Basketball National Championship All-Tournament Team
First Team
Michelle Piepenburg, Cardinal Stritch (Wis.)
Tiesha Stokes, Davenport (Mich.)
Brooke Ridley, Saint Francis (Ind.)
Alice Heinzler, College of the Ozarks (Mo.)
Skylarr Shurn, Saint Francis (Ind.)
Second Team
Alli Engbertson, Northwestern (Iowa)
Jamie Van Kirk, Hastings (Neb.)
Ashlynn Muhl, Morningside (Iowa)
Emily Walker, College of the Ozarks (Mo.)
Jenelle Wilson, Saint Francis (Ind.)