Womens Basketball
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Lady Tigers Advance to Title Game

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Joplin, Mo.

The Champion Lady Tigers have earned a place in the 2021 NCCAA National Championship. Thanks to a 84-69 comeback win over Pensacola Christian College. 

Champion started slow, most of that due to leading Scorer Destiny Gonzalez picking up 2 quick fouls in the first quarter, and a 3rd shortly after she return late in the second quarter, but the Lady Tigers relied on their defense to keep them in the game. Holding the Lady Eagles to 23% shooting in the first half. Resulting in a halftime score of 34-32 in favor of PCC. 

The second half was a different story. Even with Gonzalez starting on the bench, the Lady Tigers jump out early taking the lead halfway through the 3rd quarter at 43-41 thanks to a Justys Irish-Holmes 3 pointer, a lead they would never relinquish. Ending the quarter on a 16 to 9 run. 

The Lady Eagles cut the lead to 3, at 68-65 with 4:05 left in the game, but Champion responded with a 10-0 run to put the game out of reach. 

The Lady Tigers finished with five players in double figures. Led by Sckiya Bannister with 17 points and 8 rebounds, Justys Irish-Holmes added 16 off the bench on 6-7 shooting, Nay Manning finished with 16 points 6 rebounds and 7 assists, Harria Mendoza had 15 points and 9 rebounds, Destiny Gonzalez chipped in 12 points in a season low 21 minutes. 

Champion moves on to play Arlington Baptist for the National Championship!