(RV) WVU Tech claims RSC Women's Basketball Championship over Alice Lloyd (Ky.)
(RV) WVU Tech claims RSC Women's Basketball Championship over Alice Lloyd (Ky.)
By WVU Tech Sports Information
BECKLEY, W.Va. (BRACKET I BOX SCORE) -- No. 1 seed (East) WVU Tech women's basketball battled No. 1 seed (West) Alice Lloyd (Ky.) College in the River States Conference Championship all the way to the buzzer, earning a 68-66 victory in Beckley, W.Va., Tuesday evening. The Golden Bears move on to the NAIA Division II National Championship in Sioux City, Iowa, with a record of 24-9 while the Eagles hold a record of 20-8 and will also be headed to nationals.
WVU Tech trailed through three quarters before outscoring the Eagles in the final quarter, 15-11. The final points came with just seconds left when senior Savannah Shamblin found sophomore Brittney Justice who poured in the layup for the win.
The Gold and Blue saw four scorers hit double digits including a double-double effort from Brittney Justice. The Danese, W.Va., native finished with 11 rebounds and 10 points to go with five steals, three assists and a block.
Junior Carlie Biehl-Wilson also had a huge game for Tech, posting her own double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. She also tallied two blocks and a steal.
Shamblin marked 16 points while dishing six assists. She also had a rebound and a steal.
Senior Alexandra Combs had 12 points, four rebounds, an assist and a steal for the Gold and Blue.
Sophomore Whittney Justice was a major contributor to Tech's 13 steals, grabbing four while also recording six points, three rebounds and a steal.
The Golden Bears were held to just 35.3 percent (24-for-68) shooting from the floor while Alice Lloyd finished at 43.5 percent (27-for-62).
The Eagles also held the advantage under the boards, 45-39. But, Tech forced 20 turnovers and grabbed 13 steals while only committing seven turnovers of their own. Alex Clifton had a team-high 16 points off the Alice Lloyd bench. Ali May scored 11 as a sub. Haley Hall led the starters with 13.
McDonald's (2930 Robert C. Byrd Drive, Beckley) will host both the women's and men's basketball squads for the Golden Bear Athletics National Basketball Championship Send-off tomorrow, Wednesday (February 27).
Golden Bear Basketball teams will be working the kiosks in a friendly competition to see who can process the most orders from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. The team who wins the competition will receive a generous donation from Tim and Myra Harper.
Following the competition, both teams and members of the community will watch the National Championship brackets be revealed. Men's bracket will be revealed at 6 p.m. and women's will be at 7 p.m. Come out and share support to the Golden Bears as they leave for the National tournament.