UC-Clermont Wins Women's D2 Championship

ETTRICK, Va. – The University of Cincinnati-Clermont Cougars went on a 24-0 run spanning eight minutes over the first and second periods and rode that to a 60-46 win over the Johnson & Wales Charlotte Wildcats to capture the 2023 USCAA Women’s Division II National Championship on Thursday night at Virginia State University.

Johnson & Wales jumped out to an early 13-7 lead following a Makiya McDaniel putback with 3:11 left in the first. From there, the Cougars closed out the quarter scoring the next 13 points to take a 20-13 lead after a Tyra Murphy 3-ball with 38 seconds remaining.

In the second, the run continued for Cincinnati-Clermont as they scored the first 11 points to take a 31-13 lead on a Kristi Duncan jumper with 4:50 left in the half. The Wildcats answered with seven straight points to trim the deficit to 31-20 as Tanaeschia Dorsey hit a layup with 1:58 on the clock.        

To start the third period, the Cougars scored the first eight points to take a 19-point lead following a pair of Abby Strunk free throws for a 39-20 margin just 48 seconds into the third. From there, the lead was never less than 12 points for Cincinnati-Clermont.

Dorsey was the leading scorer for Johnson & Wales (20-9) with 21 points, while Jayla Lovett added 11 off the bench.

Cincinnati-Clermont (20-7) was paced by Ashley Moore with 27 points and nine assists, while Tyra Murphy added 14 points to go with 14 rebounds and Kristi Duncan chipped in with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Miami-Hamilton, So., G, Laci Hamilton

UC-Clermont, Gr., F, Kristi Duncan

UC-Clermont, Jr., F, Tyra Murphy

Johnson & Wales, Jr., G, Jayla Lovett

Johnson & Wales, Sr., G, Tee Dorsey

Tournament MVP: UC-Clermont, G, Ashley Moore