JACKSON, Tenn. — March 24, 2009 — Behind 27 points from Josephine Owino, the Â鶹ÊÓƵ Lady Bulldogs defeated Lambuth University 73-63 Tuesday night to win the NAIA women's basketball national championship in Oman Arena.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ led by 10 at halftime and Lambuth cut that lead in half in the early second half, but an Owino basket stretched the lead to 39-32. Owino missed the ensuing free throw, but Kaitlin Dudley grabbed the rebound and Â鶹ÊÓƵ retained possession. After being fouled, Christina Ray made two free throws to put Â鶹ÊÓƵ back up by nine.
Lambuth cut the lead to six at 43-37, but two consecutive scores by Owino put Â鶹ÊÓƵ back up by 10. Lambuth never got closer than eight the rest of the night.
Dudley added 18 points for Â鶹ÊÓƵ, which wins its third national championship in the past five years.