Cedarville National Champs!!!

 

Hope International's Cynthia Hernandez wished Cedarville coach Kirk Martin "Good Luck" prior to the Championship Game	Cedarville's Aubrey Siemon and Hope International's Brittani Philbrook go for the opening tip of Saturday's Championship Game
Tournament MVP Allison Lemon of Cedarville goes for the hoop late in their win	Cedarville's Lydia Miller cuts down the net in Johnson Center after their big win

 

The Cedarville Lady Yellow Jackets came from behind for the second night in a row to capture the NCCAA Women's Division I National Championship. Behind a gutsy performance from Tournament MVP Allison Lemon, Cedarville came back from a double digit deficit in the second half to win in overtime 80-77. Lemon, who injured her ankle in the first minutes, pulled it together in the end, hitting big shot after big shot to pop for 16 points.

The Lady Yellow Jackets overcame two brilliant performances by Jasmine Nault and Sarah Nylander of Hope International. Nault scored 27 points and pulled down 14 rebounds, while teammate Nylander knocked down 26 counters.

In the Third Place match-up, the host Lady Oaks of Oakland City hit their stride early in the second half and outdistanced Roberts Wesleyan 85-71. Karissa Walter led Oakland City with 20 points and 10 boards.

Fifth Place was decided by a single basket, as Trinity International held off a surging Emmanuel 56-54. Rachel Edelen popped for 14 markers for the victors.

The Seventh Place contest saw Colorado Christian find their shooting touch, hitting on 52.9% from the field to defeat Mid-Continent 84-67. Talmai Aguirre paced the winners with 20 points. Sarah Cripps led Mid-Continent with 23 counters.

 

Hope International and Cedarville Advace to Championship Game

Brittani Philbrook of Hope International moves to the basket in a 75-70 win over Roberts Wesleyan

Cedarville's Allison Lemon hangs in a crowd against Oakland City in Friday's second Semi-Final Game. Cedarville won 83-70

Hope International and Cedarville will meet in Saturday's Championship Game at 5:00 pm in the Johnson Center in Oakland City.

Hope International, behind the sensational play of Jasmine Nault, Brittani Philbrook and Stehanie Wenke, outlasted Roberts Wesleyan in a back and forth contest. Nault poured in a tournament high 34 points plus 13 rebounds. Roberts Wesleyan were led by Erin Farney's 21 counters.

Cedarville found their stride in the last five minutes of the game to move past the scrappy hosts from Oakland City. The Lady Yellow Jackets laid down a three point barrage led by Bayley Nosal, who finished the game with 18 points on 5-6 from behind the arc. Oakland City were led by Karissa Walter and Jesse Oxley who had 12 markers each.

In the earlier contests, Emmanuel defeated Colorado Christian by a score of 79-70 and Trinity International pulled away from Mid-Continent 59-55.

Day 1 of NCCAA National Tournament in the Books!

The Parade of Champions, as each team met on center court of the Johnson Center

Oakland City's Karissa Walter looks for an opening against Emmanuel College

Enthusiastic crowds enjoyed some very competitive basketball during Day 1 of the NCCAA Women's National Tournament.

In Game 1 Roberts Wesleyan utilized a balanced attack of 5 players in double figures to finally pull away from Mid-Continent by a score of 72-59. Mid-Continent's Sarah Cripps led all scorers with 18 points, while the winners were paced by Erin Vess' 16 counters off the bench. Cripps added 9 boards in the losing cause.

Game 2 saw an exciting and even match-up between Hope International and Trinity Internatiional that came down to the final possessions. Hope International pulled out a 79-76 win behind brilliant performances by Jasmine Nault and Brittani Philbrook who poured in 28 and 23 points respectively. Trinity offered up two great results as well with Jokea Stewart-Butler popping for 27 counters and Rachel Edelen hitting for 23 points.

Cedarville fought off a pesky Colorado Christian team 69-61 in game 3. Alison Lemon tossed in 28 points and grabbed 11 boards for the Yellow Jackets in a winning effort. Ainsley Barratt scored 15 markers and nabbed 9 caroms for Colorado Christian in the loss.

Host Oakland City faced top seeded Emmanuel College in Game 4 in front of a packed house and prevailed 71-56. The Lady Oaks were paced by junior Chelsea Miller's 17 points and fellow junior Karissa Walter's 14 counters, 12 rebounds and 5 assists. Emmanuel was paced by Felecia Towler's 13 markers.

 

NCCAA National Tournament Kicks Off With Banquet

Games Tip-Off at 1:00 Today!

Oakland City women's coach Jessica Mehringer delivered An inspiring message.

Oakland City's Ali Pia joins in "Sharing Her Light" at the end of Coach Mehringer's Message.

Players, coaches, host families, and athletic staffs joined for a wonderful dinner in the Bower-Shurheinrich Student Life Center after a day of service projects. Click here for highlights.