OCU's 2002 NAIA women's basketball champion

Women's Basketball 3/19/2002 12:00:00 AM

STARS WIN FOURTH STRAIGHT NAIA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP

OCU sets 12 team records during banner year

OCU's 2002 NAIA Division I women's basketball champion

JACKSON, Tenn. – Oklahoma City University corralled its fifth NAIA Division I women's basketball championship and fourth consecutive title with an 82-73 triumph over Southern Nazarene on Tuesday at Oman Arena.
Jhudy Gonzalez, a senior from Cali, Columbia, scored 27 points and grabbed 10 rebounds to lead the Stars.
The Stars led by 17 at halftime and by 22 with 6:47 left before Southern Nazarene closed the gap. OCU set a dozen school records on the way to the title.
Gonzalez was named tournament most valuable player. Rita Banks, who had 16 points in the game, joined her on the all-tournament first team along with Kesha Watson. Banks and Gonzalez were the only seniors on the team.
"This championship was the most fun of any of them because of where we came from," said Gonzalez, who helped OCU to three national championships. "This team has been through so much. There has been a lot of personal suffering. Working together brought us success. I've never been a part of anything like this."
OCU led 63-39 at one point, but SNU chipped away at that advantage. SNU reeled off a 9-0 run to slice its deficit to 69-56. OCU led 76-71 with 57 seconds left. Gonzalez pocketed a steal and a layup to help the Stars clinch the title.
"From the word "go', these girls were on a mission," OCU coach Janell Jones said. "It was a great win, especially with everything they've gone through."
Sasha Seriogina led SNU with 24 points. The Crimson Storm had knocked off the Stars 84-75 in the SAC Tournament title contest.
The team will arrive back on campus sometime between 4-5 p.m. Wednesday at Abe Lemons Arena.

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