Crusader women capture NCCAA Midwest Championship
DUBUQUE, Iowa -- The Maranatha women’s basketball team defeated Grace Bible College (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 66-64 to capture the NCCAA Midwest Regional Championship. The Crusader women entered the tournament as the No.1 seed with Grace as the No.2 tabbed team in the tournament. Maranatha made their win to the championship game with a victory over Moody Bible Institute (Chicago, Ill.) 61-47 on Friday. Grace advanced to the championship with an 87-47 win over Emmaus Bible College (Dubuque, Iowa) and a 64-52 win over Lincoln Christian (Lincoln, Ill.).

The Crusaders took the opening tip-off, and with just a minute held a 3-0 lead on Grace, but the lead quickly vanished as Grace controlled the next several minutes of play on a 14-0 run. Down, but far from out, Maranatha rallied, taking control of the game, and then held a 36-29 lead at the half.

Grace came storming back in the second period to eventually tie the game at 49 with seven minutes of play remaining. The Crusader team held on, and with several key rebounds underneath by trio of Kristen Kincaid, Rose Peterson and Colleen Goff, the team kept the Tigers of Grace in check. Melissa Nichols hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to seal the win for the Crusaders, 66-64.

Maranatha head coach Clayton Morrison commented, “We played good enough to win today…it wasn’t our best performance of the year, but the girls showed a lot of character as they came back early in the game, and held on late. Overall, I am pleased with our efforts today…we can now look forward to returning to the National Tournament.” The Crusader team finished second last season, runner-up to Kentucky Christian, this year’s likely No. 1 seed.

Maranatha had four women hit double-digit scoring as Colleen Goff tallied 16, Rose Peterson 15, Amanda Moses and Kristen Kincaid each hit for 10 points. Goff recorded her thirteenth double-double of the season as she pulled in 10 rebounds and dished out six assists. Laura Carter and Nichols each contributed six points and Laura Mattson added three to round out the scoring for MBBC.

Along with the Midwest Championship, several of the Lady Crusaders were recognized for their efforts this season. Rose Peterson was selected to the NCCAA Midwest Region Honorable Mention Team, Amanda Moses was selected to the NCCAA MW Region 2nd Team, and Colleen Goff was selected to the NCCAA MW Region 1st Team. Goff was the leading vote getter in the balloting by the coaches.

Maranatha will now advance to the NCCAA National Tournament, representing the Midwest Region. The tournament will be held March 11-15 on the campus of Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky.

Courtesy of Maranatha Baptist Bible College, Sports Information Department, March 1, 2008.