WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The third time proved to be a charm for coach Marty Rowe and his Lee University women’s basketball team. Two years ago the Lady Flames were beaten in the final round of the NAIA national tournament. Last season Lee lost in the NCCAA national championship game to rival Union University. But this year, there was no denying the Lee women. They defeated Bethesda University (Calif.) 95-59 to convincingly win the NCCAA National title.
The Lady Flames blistered the nets in the second half, shooting 68 percent from the field and 60 percent from 3-point range.
Junior Kayla Beavers, who earned a spot on the All-Tournament team, set a new NCCAA national tournament record and also a new Lee record by knocking down nine 3-point shots and finishing the contest with 27 points. Beavers made seven of her treys in the second half.
Freshman Shelby Brown was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She finished Saturday’s win with a double-double, 19 points and 10 rebounds. Lee out-rebounded Bethesda 55-41.
Carrie Cheeks recorded a career high with 27 points and 19 of those markers came in the first 20 minutes. She also had nine rebounds. Erin Walsh, who was also named a second-team All-American, totaled 12 points and seven rebounds. Alex Swope established a new Lee assists record with 13.
Emileigh Swafford, unable to play in the tournament, earned first-team NCCAA All-American honors. “This had been a great group of freshmen but it was players over the last five years that really got our program headed toward championships,” said coach Marty Rowe. “They were the leaders and these young ladies followed.
“Our girls shot like crazy in the second half, but I have to give one of my assistants, Kelly Kiser, credit for a lot of the 3-point shots we made. He made a nice read on how they were defending us and allowed us to set Kayla up for the 3-point shots.”
The Lady Flames defense held the high-scoring Bethesda team that scored over 100 points in the semi-final round to just 59 points and 23 percent shooting from the field. They fired up 37 3s but connected on just five. They also went to the line 31 times and made 14.
Sharmaine Nelson was the only Bethesda player in double-figure scoring 13 points. Rosa Ortiz and Ahteana Jones carded eight points apiece.
“We’ve got a lot to build on with this club,” pointed out Coach Rowe. “It has been the most fun I have ever had coaching a basketball team. These girls bought into what we were trying to do and improved with each game the entire season.”
The Lady Flames finished with an impressive 23-8 record and won their last eight contests.