LUBBOCK, Texas – Chelsea Ledbetter buried a buzzer-beating 3-pointer to propel Oklahoma City University past Lubbock Christian (Texas) 62-60 on Friday in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament semifinals at the Rip Griffin Center.
The Stars, ranked 13th in NAIA Division I women's basketball, moved to 27-5 and into their 10th consecutive conference tournament championship game.
Six-time SAC Tournament champ OCU will aim to defend its crown against Oklahoma Baptist in the title tilt at 6 p.m. Saturday at the Rip. The Stars assured themselves a berth in the NAIA Division I Tournament on March 18-24 in Jackson, Tenn., by advancing to the SAC title game since Oklahoma Baptist earned the other SAC national spot by winning the conference regular-season crown.
Ledbetter, a senior from Norman, Okla., swished the game winner from 32 feet out. Ledbetter caught the inbound pass at the top of the key with 4.4 seconds left, dribbled past half court and let fly off balance.
“It's great to win and get to the title game,” OCU coach Rob Edmisson said. “It's where we belong."
Tenth-ranked Lubbock Christian (26-6) had swept the season series from the Stars.
“It was a great game all the way through," Edmisson said. "It was hard fought. We're just exhausted. Hopefully we'll have enough energy left to pull through in the championship.”
OCU built an early 17-6 lead as Atta Dibate's free throws put the Stars up 11 with 11:50 to go in the first half. The Stars erased a 47-43 LCU lead midway through the second.
The Stars erupted for a 10-2 run as Holly Hardin scored eight of those points. Breezy Martin put the Stars ahead 59-54 with 1:48 left.
Bailey St. Clair scored with 1:07 remaining, then Sierra Lovorn nailed a trey to tie the game at 59-59 for Lubbock Christian with 35 seconds on the clock.
St. Clair went 1-of-2 from the free-throw line with 4.4 seconds left to put Lubbock Christian up 60-59 and set up Ledbetter's heroics.
Ledbetter was one of two Stars with four fouls down the stretch. Ledbetter was called for her fourth with 13:10 remaining and played the last 9:35 with four fouls.
Hardin, a junior from Chickasha, Okla., totaled 21 points and 10 rebounds to lead OCU. Ledbetter had 13 points, and Laura Duncan added 11 points and four rebounds. Chontaye Walter had nine points, five rebounds, seven assists and four steals for the Stars.
Boxscore
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
At Lubbock, Texas
Rip Griffin Center
Tuesday's Results
Mid-America Christian 61, John Brown 57
Rogers State 84, Northwestern Oklahoma State 60
Science & Arts of Oklahoma 64, Oklahoma Christian 56
Wayland Baptist 87, St. Gregory's 58
Wednesday's Results
Quarterfinals
Oklahoma Baptist 68, Mid-America Christian 52
Oklahoma City 72, Rogers State 54
Wayland Baptist 68, Southern Nazarene 61
Lubbock Christian 83, USAO 72
Friday's Results
Semifinals
Oklahoma Baptist 60, Wayland Baptist 57
Oklahoma City 62, Lubbock Christian 60
Saturday's Game
Championship
Oklahoma Baptist vs. Oklahoma City, 6 p.m.
