The Odessa College Lady Wranglers earned a return trip to the NJCAA women's basketball national tournament Saturday with a 74-53 victory over No. 3 New Mexico Junior College in the championhip game of the Region V Tournament at Frenship High School's Tiger Pit.

Odessa College (22-10) defeated NMJC (30-3) for the second time in three meetings this season. Shannon Dozier led the Lady Wranglers with 16 points, while Amanda Soderqvist scored 14, and Danyael Goodhope added 11 off the bench.

The Thunderbirds were led by Alexes Bryant with 18 points. Danielle Craft scored 15 and Jurnee President had 12.

Odessa College used a 9-2 run in the first quarter to break open a tight game and finished the opening period with a 23-14 lead. The Lady Wranglers opened the third quarter with a 14-6 surge, pushing an 11-point halftime advantage to 17 midway through the period.

New Mexico Junior College got no closer than 13 the rest of the way, and Odessa College closed the game on a 13-5 run.

The Lady Wranglers finished the game shooting 49.1 percent (27 of 55) to the Thunderbirds' 34.7 percent (17 of 49). Odessa College was 10 of 22 on 3-pointers, making more than NMJC (2 of 7) attempted. Odessa College posted a 28-22 rebounding advantage.

Article by OA

Photo by OA