SEAN BOSTON
Hutch Post
WICHITA, Kan. — Sterling College dominated overtime to secure the KCAC women's basketball tournament championship, defeating Friends University 86-76 on Tuesday night at the Garvey Center.
The title marks Sterling’s first since the 2021-22 season, when the Warriors, then the No. 1 seed, defeated Avila for the tournament crown. This year, Sterling (21-10) earned an at-large bid to the NAIA Women’s Basketball National Championship after knocking off its third straight higher-seeded opponent in the KCAC tournament.
Sterling entered the tournament as the No. 6 seed, Friends was No. 5
The back-and-forth battle saw Sterling hold a slim 17-16 lead after the first quarter before trailing 36-35 at halftime. The Warriors reclaimed momentum in the third, outscoring Friends 20-16 to take a 55-52 lead into the final period.
With the game tied at 76, Friends (19-12) turned the ball over with 25 seconds left in regulation, giving Sterling a chance to win in the final moments. Alex Bearup’s three-point attempt missed, sending the game into overtime.
Sterling took full control in the extra period, scoring the first eight points while holding Friends scoreless for the entire five minutes to seal the victory. Korynn Clason led the Warriors with 17 points, while Kali Barr and Alissa Heskamp each added 16.
Despite being outshot (39.7% to 43.2%) and outrebounded 48-43, Sterling capitalized on 21 Friends turnovers, scoring 29 points off those miscues. The Warriors also shot 52.9% from three-point range and hit 79.2% of their free throws to maintain an edge.
Friends dominated the paint, outscoring Sterling 52-22, but struggled from beyond the arc (4 of 18, 22.2%) and at the free-throw line (8 of 14, 57.1%). Sterling’s depth proved key, with the Warriors’ bench contributing 22 points compared to just six from Friends.
The NAIA Women's Basketball Championship selection show will be Thursday at 6 p.m.