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Ozarks capture A.I.I. title
Posted: Feb 27, 2017

Ozarks capture A.I.I. title

College of the Ozarks used a big second quarter to power their way to their first Association of Independent Institutions Championship on Sunday afternoon on their home court.

The 2017 A.I.I. Women's Basketball Championships wrapped up on Sunday afternoon at the Keeter Gymnasium on the campus of College of the Ozarks in Point Lookout, Missouri. The host Bobcats took on Indiana University Northwest in a battle for the title as both programs had already qualified for the 26th Annual NAIA Division II National Championship by virtue of making it to the championship game.

The first quarter saw the visiting Indiana University Northwest RedHawks begin on a 5-0 run over the first 92 seconds of the game. Back to back three pointers by Cassidy Johnson allowed College of the Ozarks to take the 6-5 advantage on their next two possessions. The back and forth continued with both teams taking a slight lead only to see the other come back and take over. By the end of the first, the Bobcats had been able to hold a 21-16 lead. In the second quarter, College of the Ozarks continued to push their tempo for the contest and moved their lead up to double digits. Throughout the quarter, the Bobcats continued to hit their shots and closed out the half on a 27-7 lead to take a 48-23 lead into the break.

In the second half, the Bobcats continued to assert themselves and ballooned their lead up to as much as 36 as they maintained their offensive output. The RedHawks tried to get the stops they needed but College of the Ozarks continued to find their way to the basket and push their lead. College of the Ozarks used their big second quarter push to power their way to the 83-58 victory and capture the 2017 A.I.I. Women's Basketball Championship.

Johnson led College of the Ozarks with 19 points and Kelsie Cleeton had a double-double with 15 points and 12 rebounds. Gina Rubino led Indiana University Northwest with 17 points and Alexis Blake brought down eidght rebounds.

The two teams will now wait to find out who their next opponent will be for the NAIA National Championship. The tournament selection show will take place on Wednesday, March 1 at 5:00 PM CST.