BRISTOL, TN – For the first time in school history, the Appalachian Athletic Conference women's basketball championship will reside in Wise, Virginia. The University of Virginia's College at Wise completed its title run by outscoring host King College, 6-2, over the final five minutes to win 57-54.
Sarah Helton
The Lady Cavs took their mark to 24-9 on the season and will move on for the program's first ever trip to the NAIA National Championships which take place in Sioux City, Iowa from March 8-14. King College finished its season 18-15.
Trailing 52-51, Chelsea Lee stole the ball and outraced the King players to give UVa-Wise back the lead, 53-52 with 3:37 left in the game. With the same score, Lee drove into the lane and was foul where she made one of two shots for a 54-52 tally with 54.1 seconds. Lee blocked the next Lady Tornado shot with half a minute.
LaShay Collier blocked the ensuing King jumper and was fouled on the next trip. Collier made both free throws for a 56-52 score with 11.2 ticks showing. Megan Gammon missed for King and Lee was fouled. Lee made the first attempt, missed the second and charge the lane to get her own rebound and run out the final 1.9 seconds of the contest for the 57-54 win.
Sarah Helton picked up the AAC Tournament MVP honors. She produced 10 rebounds and seven points in the final. Her sister Rachel, who had nine tallies, and Lee (13 points and six assists) were also selected to the All-Tournament team.
Forward Terri Ann Hill was the scoring force behind UVa-Wise on the night. She pumped in 11 first half points and finished with 18 tallies while making six of nine attempts, two of three treys and all four of her foul shots. Collier had another all-around effort of eight points, six rebounds, four assists and three steals.
After a 25-25 contest in the first 16:32, the Lady Cavs outscored the Lady Tornado 10-5 into the half. Hill scored the final four points heading into the break for a 35-30 UVa-Wise lead.
Head Coach Rachel Clay-Keohane
Lifts the Net in Celebration
UVa-Wise opened the second half strongly to open a double figure lead, 45-34, with Hill draining her second triple off a Lee pass. Collier hit an inside jumper with 12:44 remaining to equal the largest advantage of 11 points, 49-38.
King ran off eight-straight points to cut the score down to 49-46 with 9:43. The Lady Tornado continued their comeback to make the run 14-2 to eventually take a 52-51 lead with 5:22 left before Lee guided the Lady Cavs in the final five minutes.
(NOTE -- This release is presented as it was written for historical purposes)
