NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
Southern Connecticut Claims National Championship
Kearney, Neb. – LaShauna Jones scored a career high 19
points to lead Southern Connecticut State University over Florida
Gulf Coast University, 61-45 in the 2007 Division II National
Championship.
The Owls trailed just once during the duration of the game after
FGCU scored the games first point. The game would be tied four
times, but each time Southern Connecticut would manage a run to
give themselves a new lead.
With 9:36 left on the clock FGCU’s All-America Kate Schrader
hit a jumper to tie the game at 42. The Owls went on a 19-3 run to
finish the game, holding FGCU to just one field goal over the final
nine minutes of the game. A three pointer by Chelsea Dermyer pulled
the Eagles to within four. Two baskets by Kate Lynch and a three
pointer by Jones put the Owls up by 11.
Shamika Jackson and Noah had a team high 10 points each to lead
the Owls into the locker room with the score in their favor, 31-24.
Noah and Jackson combined to score 11 of Southern
Connecticut’s 14 field goals in the half.
FGCU, who leads the nation in team offense was held to just
35.7-percent shooting in the first half and 24 points, the lowest
point total the Eagles have had this season until they were held to
21 points by the Owls in the second half.
“We wanted to try to play it at our pace. We figured if we
played their game and just raced up and down the floor, that would
be to our disadvantage. They are such an explosive
team,” said SCSU Head Coach Joe Frager.
Jones was named player of the game by ESPN2 and to the
All-Tournament Team. Lynch earned Most Outstanding Player of the
tournament, Jackson joined her teammates on the team.
Lynch scored 14 points and 10 rebounds for the Owls, while Jackson
had 13 and Noah finished with 10 points.
