The #23 Lady Buffs claimed the program's eighth South Central Regional Championship on Monday night as they outlasted the #19 Lubbock Christian Lady Chaps, 59-54 in a thriller in front of over 2,000 fans at the First United Bank Center in Canyon, Texas.
The win sends the Lady Buffs to the NCAA Division II Elite Eight on March 21-25 in Birmingham, Alabama while handing the reigning National Champion Lady Chaps their first ever defeat during NCAA regional play.
Tournament Most Outstanding Player Karley Motschenbacher led the way for the Lady Buffs as the freshman from Moorhead, Minnesota went 5-of-8 from the floor including 2-of-5 from deep and 4-of-5 from the charity stripe for a team-high 16 points to go along with eight rebounds, three assists and a steal. Zamorye Roberts was also named to the All-Tournament team as the junior finished the night going 3-of-11 from the floor and 4-of-6 from the free throw line for 11 points while grabbing six rebounds and dishing out four assists.
The Lady Buffs finished the night going 20-of-54 (37%) from the floor including 4-of-21 (19%) from behind the arc and 15-of-21 (71.4%) from the charity stripe with 35 rebounds (eight offensive, 27 defensive), 11 assists, six turnovers, one block and four steals.
Juliana Robertson paced the LCU offense as the senior from Kerrville finished her stellar career going 4-of-6 from the floor including 6-of-8 from the free throw line for a team-high 15 points to go along with 12 rebounds and two assists for a double-double. The Lady Chaps went 18-of-48 (37.5%) from the field including 3-of-10 (30%) from deep and 15-of-21 (71.4%) from the free throw line with 32 rebounds, five assists, eight turnovers and two steals.
The Lady Buffs have punched their ticket to the program's eighth NCAA Division II Elite Eight, the National Quarterfinals will be played on Monday, March 21st at a time to be determined at the Birmingham Crossplex in Birmingham, Alabama. Following the conclusion of all eight regional finals across the country, the final eight teams will be re-seeded by the NCAA and announced later tonight.
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