Womens Basketball
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WBB Reaches National Championship Game

WBB
Joplin, Mo.

After earning a Quarterfinal bye, the 2nd seeded Lady Tigers took on the 3rd ranked Barclay Lady Bears. Champion sprinted out of the gates to a 10-0 lead, before turnovers and bad shot selection let the Lady Bears back in the game. resulting in a time game at 14 after the 1st quarter. 

The 2nd quarter was much of the same for Barclay, holding the Lady Tigers to 29% shooting in the half and capitalizing on Champion foul trouble. The Lady Bears held a 3 point lead at the half, 32-29.

Champion came out of the break and took control in the 3rd quarter, scoring 10 points in the paint and 13 points off turnovers. 

The Lady Tigers held a 5 point lead through out the 4th, but a late Barclay push saw the game tied. After a timeout, T'Kira Fuller made a 15 ft jumper to take the lead with 14 seconds left. On the ensuing possession the Lady Bears missed a 14ft jumper, rebounded by Janiya Gilliam who was fouled immediately. Gilliam stepped to the line and knocked down 2 free throws to seal the game.