Taylor Booze saved her best games for last.
The senior point guard scored 22 points in the semifinals and 20 in the finals of the NAIA Division I women’s basketball tournament to help lead Oklahoma City University (35-1) to its sixth national title.
“It was all or nothing,” Booze said. “I figured it was the last time I would ever play as a college athlete, and I wanted to go out with a bang. I just wanted to give it my all and help my team do whatever we needed to do to get a win.”
Booze, a criminal justice major from Duncanville, Texas, averaged 14.8 points per game in the national tournament en route to being named tournament most valuable player and is this week’s Super Star of the week.
“It was really an honor to be named tournament MVP,” Booze said. “I wasn’t expecting it and it was kind of overwhelming because I have never been in that position or been the MVP of anything. When they called my name I really wasn’t expecting it so I kind of had a little break down, but they were tears of joy so I’ll take them.”
Booze earned the hustle award in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament on March 3, but wasn’t satisfied with her performance.
“I didn’t shoot it well at all in the conference tournament, so when we got back I got in the gym and worked on my shot. Luckily my shot started falling for me and my hard worked paid off.”
After the team lost in the NAIA Tournament quarterfinals a season ago, Booze and her teammates were motivated to win it all this season.
“I think we all felt like we came up short and thought we could defiantly go further.” Boozer said. “So starting this year all the seniors got together and came up with a game plan of how we wanted our last year to go, and we all hooked up with the rest of the team to let them know, these are our goals.”
According to Booze, the team worked hard to achieve their goals.
“I can’t remember a day where we took the day the off, and it showed in our games,” Booze said. “When we got the national tournament there was no such thing as losing. We got to the championship game, and Coach told us we didn’t have to be special we just had to be us, and we went out played our game.”
Booze says she enjoyed her time at OCU, but is unsure what she’ll do next.
“I definitely consider myself blessed to be able to compete in the national tournament and win a ring,” Booze said. “I am graduating in May, and I give credit to God, my mom and dad and my family. Hopefully I get the chance to go overseas and play basketball some more, but if not I’ll put my degree to use and get a job.”
