Our Lady Tigers made history again, upsetting NCAA Division II Chaminade University in the Lady Tigers' final non-conference game of the season at McCabe Gymnasium. Instead of counting the game as an exhibition, Champion counted the game towards their regular season which rode a 33-point performance from Alysia Pickett to a 78-76 final score. 

With a rough start from Champion in the beginning minutes from tip-off, Champion was able to get it together and have Chaminade trailed by as many as 18. Within the final minutes of the game, a furious rally still ended in Champion’s first ever regular season win against an NCAA DII. 

The Lady Tigers fought hard against the NCAA Division II and Chaminade’s own Dallas Martinez. Martinez was trouble for the Lady Tigers as she ended the night on a triple-double. This was the first by a Pacific West Conference player this season and the fifth in NCAA Division II. 

With her great efforts, it was not enough to keep the Lady Tigers away from this win. Champion’s Alysia Pickett poured in 33 points for the Tigers, a member of the National Christian Collegiate Athletic Association against the NCAA DII.

Led by Martinez's eight points, the Silverswords bolted out to a 25-15 first-quarter lead thanks to their 10-of-16 shooting from the floor. But CCC answered with a 14-0 run spanning first and second quarters before an answer could be made by the Lady Swords.

Champion Christian led by 10 at the half and expanded its lead to 61-43 midway through the third quarter. Closing the 3rd quarter Chaminade caught fire and put a huge dent into the Lady Tigers’ lead to 69-63 going into the final quarter.

With 3:07 left, sharp shooter Alysia Pickett hit a triple, putting CCC up 77-71 but Chaminade countered with a 3 in the next possession. Followed by a freethrow from the Lady Swords,  the once 18  point deficit came to 77-75 with 1:37 on the clock. The Swords then had two opportunities on go-ahead 3-pointers with a minute left but both failed to find the mark.

After both teams traded free throws, the Lady Tigers held on to the lead 78-76 with 27 seconds left. Champion remained on defense in the final seconds of the game and Chaminade had two more opportunities to at least tie the contest. However, Champion’s defense didn’t allow for the tie and the Lady Tigers made history beating their 1st ever NCAA DII school in the regular season. 

The Tigers hit 15 3-pointers with 47 rebounds and 10 assists. Alysia Pickett led CCC with 33 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 steal. Aaliyiah Clark added 11 points. Both Justys Irish-Holmes and Kamryn Gentry chimed in with 9 points and Gentry with 17 boards. 

Congratulations Lady Tigers!! We would like to give a special thank you to all the parents, family, friends and supporters that made this trip possible. We appreciate each and everyone of you. This win was for you!