Oklahoma City University’s Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinal matchup against Lubbock Christian (Texas) came down to Chelsea Ledbetter’s buzzer-beating 3-point shot.
Ledbetter was set to come off a screen in the back court to get down the court to get a shot off. She brought the ball past half court and was cut off by the Lubbock Christian defense. Ledbetter spun out and threw up a shot a few feet out from beyond the 3-point line.
The shot gave the Stars a 62-60 victory over Lubbock Christian.
“It was unbelievable,” said Ledbetter. “I was in total shock. It definitely took me a while to realize what had happened.”
The Stars moved on to face Oklahoma Baptist in the finals of the SAC Tournament, winning their second consecutive conference tournament title with a 55-42 victory.
Ledbetter, a 5-foot-8 senior from Norman, Okla., was named most valuable player of the tournament. Ledbetter averaged 11.3 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists and 1.67 steals during the SAC Tournament.
“It was a great feeling to win MVP,” Ledbetter said. “I realized that these are going to be my last couple of games in my career, and that I need to step it up. We are at the end of the season and it is crunch time. All we have left now is the national championship.
“Our defense has been much better. We are playing as a team and have become more vocal on defense. Our defense is creating our offense for us.”
The Stars have won the SAC Tournament three times in the past four years.
“It was great to win another SAC Tournament title,” Ledbetter said. “I think it shows that we can rise to the occasion and how our team has come together.”
OCU will play in the NAIA Division I Tournament on March 18-24 in Jackson, Tenn.
“Our goal is to win the national tournament,” Ledbetter said. “We need to focus on our team and keep playing together. After winning the SAC Tournament, our confidence is high and we have great momentum going into nationals.”
More on Chelsea:
Favorite team: Phoenix Suns
First car I ever owned: Blazer
Favorite video game: Tiger Woods PGA Tour
Favorite saying: Deuces
I never leave home without: My cell phone
