Mississippi University for Women Women’s Basketball Claims First Title for The W

UNIONTOWN, PA – The Mississippi University for Women Owls captured their first ever USCAA National Championship in a 69-49 victory over University of Maine Fort Kent Bengals.

The top-seeded University of Maine Fort Kent Bengals came with a 7-0 run before tournament MVP Qiayon Bailey went to the free throw line to get the team on the board. Bailey finished with a game-high 28 points and played all but two minutes in the National Championship game. Maine Fort Kent finished the first quarter with the four-point advantage over Mississippi University for Women.

In the opening three minutes of the second quarter, the Owls went on a run to take their first lead of the game against the Bengals.  The teams kept pace with each other for the remainder of the first half with the solid play of Tenazhia Hinkson and her nine defensive rebounds.

Maine Fort Kent had three ladies in double-digit scoring including Trinity Washington who had a double-double with 14 points and 13 boards.  Unfortunately, the Lady Bengals struggled to score points in the paint and from three-point, shooting 22% from the field and 18% from beyond the arc.

After heading into half-time with a 23-20 lead, the Owls attack grew insurmountable quickly.  Bailey and Hinkson combined for 31 points in the second half of the contest, leading an Owl’s attack that collectively shot 56% from the field and 40% from three.  All-tournament selection Autumn Taylor added 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists for Mississippi University for Women.  The Owls end their season at 21-6 with seven consecutive wins toward their national title.

Tournament MVP

Qiayon Bailey | Junior Forward | Mississippi University for Women

All-Tournament Team

Trinity Washington |Junior Forward | University of Maine Fort Kent

Tenazhia Hinkson | Senior Guard/Forward | Mississippi University for Women  

Joydazia Norman | Senior Guard/Forward | Paul Quinn College

Autumn Taylor | Junior Guard | Mississippi University for Women  

Brianna Richardson | Sophomore Guard | Florida National University