National News

 March 21, 2009

by Dave Riggert
KSAL Sports

Central Arizona College won its fourth national championship in school history as they defeated Jefferson (MO) College, 78-71, in the title game of the NJCAA Women's Division I National Tournament inside the Salina Bicentennial Center.

The Vaqueras, who end the season a perfect 35-0, won the 2006 national championship but finished second each of the past two seasons.

Jefferson took control of the game early as they used a 22-7 run to grab a 30-17 lead, but Central stormed back with a 17-0 run and they took a 43-38 advantage into the locker room at halftime.

The game went back-and-forth in the second half as neither team led by more than seven points.

Jefferson scored four straight points with about three minutes to go to break a 67-67 tie, but Central Arizona ended the game on an 11-0 run to win the national title.

Tenaya Watson scored a game-high 30 points to lead CAC, while Precious Robinson added 19 and 12 rebounds.

The Vikings were led by Danielle Adams as she scored 27 points and grabbed 12 rebounds.

Jefferson, who was ranked No. 1 in the nation, ends its season 34-1.


Central Arizona won the school's fourth national title and first with head coach Denise Cardenas. Photo by Erin Miles.

Click here for Complete Tournament Stats from CyberSports USA

Friday, March 20 - Consolation and Semi's
Game 18 - 12:00 pm - Vincennes University def. Hutchinson Community College (67-61)
Game 19 - 2:00 pm - Trinity Valley Community College def. East Mississippi Community College (70-62)
Game 20 - 4:00 pm - Walters State Community College def. North Idaho College (64-59)
Game 21 - 6:00 pm - Central Arizona College def. Kaskaskia College (89-54)
Game 22 - 8:00 pm - Jefferson College def. Chipola College (78-59)

Saturday, March 21
7th - 8th Place Game
Game 23 - 1:00 pm - Trinity Valley Community College def. Vincennes University, 79-68
5th - 6th Place Game
Game 24 - 3:00 pm - Shelton State Community College def. Walters State Community College, 67-52
3rd - 4th Place Game
Game 25 - 5:00 pm - Chipola College def. Kaskaskia College, 81-74
Championship
Game 26 - 7:00pm - Central Arizona College (35-0) def. Jefferson College, Mo. (34-1), 78-71