BILLINGS, Mont. – Providence (Mont.) knocked defending national champion Oklahoma City University from the NAIA Division I women's basketball tournament 81-76 on Thursday at Rimrock Auto Arena at MetraPark.
Daniela Galindo matched her career high with 37 points for the Stars. Fifth-ranked Oklahoma City ended its season at 28-6.
Oklahoma City was bidding for its second consecutive national crown and fifth national title in seven years. OCU owns national championships won in 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017.
Galindo, a senior from Shattuck, Okla., posted 37 points, six rebounds and three assists. Galindo sank 12 of 22 shots from the field, 4 of 8 from 3-point range and all nine shots from the free-throw line while playing the entire game for OCU.
Galindo previously rang up 37 points at Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) on Nov. 25. Galindo reached 30 points for the fourth time this season and sixth time in her two-year OCU career. She concluded her Stars tenure with 1,361 points, 337 rebounds, 217 assists, 178 treys and 156 steals.
Alexis Hill, a senior from Byng, Okla., added 12 points and eight rebounds, while NaShyla Hammons, a sophomore from Oklahoma City, pitched in 10 points, two rebounds and two assists for the Stars.
Hill hit free throws to give the Stars their largest lead of the day 21-15 with 1:16 to go in the first period.
Providence (20-11) rallied to go up 50-44 on Stephanie McDonagh's jumper at the 6:37 mark of the third quarter. Galindo downed foul shots to put OCU ahead 63-59 with 1:40 left in the third.
The Argos reeled off a 10-0 spurt as Emilee Maldonado's basket supplied Providence a 69-63 advantage with 8:25 remaining. Providence stayed in the lead throughout the fourth, growing its cushion to 76-69 on McDonagh's bucket with 3:36 left.
Hammons delivered five points to cut the Stars' deficit to 76-74 at the 2:02 mark. Hammons hit free throws, then canned a 3.