Champion’s Lady Tigers won their first ever regional tournament this season with Destiny Gonzalez being named first ever MVP of the Southwest region from Champion Christian College. Nay Manning was honored again and selected to the first team, with Rebecca Farmer honored to 2nd team and Elisa Gonzalez selected to 3rd team.

In the first round of play, the Lady Tigers came in as the 2nd seed and matched up with the Manhattan Christian College Lady Thunder. Champion game into the tournament on fire and full steam ahead. In the first quarter alone Champion outscored MCC 28 to 2. The first round game finished 100-39 with every able Lady Tiger touching the floor and contributing. Each able Lady Tiger played over 10 minutes contributing to the fun win. Justys Irish-Holmes coming off the bench led the game with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals.

Going into the second round of play, the Lady Tigers had to play lock down defense and really run the floor for this match up. This second round game was against Arlington Baptist University. Unlike the prior seasons, this would be the first time of the season the Lady Tigers and the Lady Patriots met. In this exciting and nail bitter game, Champion kept a tight lead majority of the game: the lead changed only 3 times and tied twice. By keeping Arlington off the glass and playing aggressive defense- Champion out rebounded ABU 50 to 25: limiting ABU to only 10 second chance points compared to Champion's 20 second chance points. The Lady Tigers came out on top with a 83 to 72 victory and earned their spot in the 2021-22 SW NCCAA DII Regional Championship game. Two Lady Tigers had a double-double: Destiny Gonzalez with 22 points and 16 rebounds and game leader Imani Honey had 22 points, 20 rebounds, 7 assists, and 3 steals. Sckiya Banister added 12 points and 6 rebounds and Justys Irish-Holmes added 11 points.

Finally in the Championship Game for the SW NCCAA DII Regional Tournament, the Lady Tigers were hungry and ready for revenge against the 1st seed- Ozark Christian College. This match up happened once before in regular season, as the first game after Christmas break for both teams. Ozark took that regular season dub and just came off their conference tournament championship title a week prior to regionals. In this match up, Champion was not ready to bow down: even now with a few Lady Tigers fighting injuries. In the 1st half of the game, Ozark's Lady Ambassadors kept a tight lead 42-39: at 50% from FG (17/34) and about 44% at the 3-PT (7/16). The Lady Tigers were right behind at about 40% from FG (14/34) and 56% from the 3-PT line (5/9). Going into the 2nd half is when Champion lit a fire. In the 3rd quarter alone, Champion went on a run and outscored Ozark 24-8. Bringing the score to 63-50. The 4th quarter was an all out brawl. OCC did not give up easy and outscored the Lady Tigers in the 4th 22 to 13. It just was not enough, and the Lady Tigers took home their FIRST EVER SW NCCAA DII Regional Championship Title within only 3 years being a program. Lady Tigers Destiny Gonzalez and Rebecca Farmer lead with 22 points each. Gonzalez with 4 rebounds and 3 steals. Farmer with 6 rebounds. Imani Honey contributed 18 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists, and 5 steals. Nay Manning added 8 points, 5 assists, 5 steals.

LET'S GO LADY TIGERS!!! 1 DOWN and 2 TO GO!

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