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Washburn LogoWashburn wins Sonic/MIAA Championship title

March 9, 2003
Box Score | Season Stats


KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- The Washburn Lady Blues gained a measure of revenge against defending conference postseason champion Missouri Western on Sunday, winning a rematch of last season's title game, 71-60, in the finals of the 2003 Sonic/Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association Women's Basketball Championship at Municipal Auditorium.

Washburn gains the MIAA's automatic berth in the NCAA Division II Tournament with the win.
Tournament Most Valuable Player Crystal Walker scored 19 of her team-high 21 points in the second half to propel the Lady Blues to their first MIAA postseason championship since 1993. Western lost for the fifth time in six postseason tournament finals appearances dating back to 1998.

Walker, a senior forward from Osawatomie, Kan., was in foul trouble early and played only four minutes of the first half. Senior F Carissa Goeglein and senior G Gosia Czarnecka combined for seven points in a 10-0 run to put Washburn ahead, 20-10, with 3:55 to go in the half. Before the spurt, the Lady Blues had gone nearly eight minutes without scoring. The Lady Blues returned the favor on defense, holding the Griffons scoreless for more than 12 minutes.

Western would finish the half on an 8-2 run to slice the deficit to four, 22-18, at the break. The two squads combined to shoot 24.5 percent (12-of-49).

Walker scored four as Washburn opened the second half with nine straight points to build its lead back to double figures. Western was within six of the lead on three occasions afterward, but could get no closer.

Senior F Steph Jones, a transfer from Nebraska to Western this season, was 5-of-9 from three-point range and led all scorers with 23 points (17 coming in the second half). Senior C Nicole Lindsey added 20 points with 10 rebounds.

Senior G Kristy Chapman added 14 off the Washburn bench, going 4-of-6 from beyond the arc, while Goeglein chipped in 12.

Walker was joined on the All-Tournament Team by sophomore G Lora Westling of Washburn, Jones and Lindsey from Western, and senior F Kristie McClain of Emporia State.