The women’s basketball team continues its historic run after defeating Campbellsville University and advancing to the semifinals, or Fab Four, for the first time in program history. With the 89-84 first-round win over Loyola, the 96-93 round of 16 win over Wayland, and the 94-88 round of eight win over Campbellsville, the Saints will play Oklahoma City University tonight at 9 p.m. Oklahoma City advanced to the second round after defeating Arizona Christian 75-72, to the round of eight after defeating Carroll 60-59 and to the semifinals after defeating Clarke 76-72.
Fans can watch the game for a $9.95 fee at portal.stretchinternet.com/naia.
Saints facts
- Current record is 28-6
- Ranked 12th in the NAIA Coaches’ Top 25 Poll
- Head Coach Christopher Minner was second in winning percentage last season among all WBB head coaches in the NAIA with a .809. He now has .811 in just seven seasons. His current record is 189-44 overall and 121-11 in the Red River Athletic Conference. He is a former NAIA Coach of the Year.
- Kasey Saldana (JR/San Antonio, Texas) earned her 1,000 point vs. Campbellsville. She currently has 1,019
- Destinee King (SR/Antelope, Calif.) has 11 double-doubles on the season including three at nationals. Her career high 21 rebounds was against Loyola.
- No. 1 in NAIA in scoring offense (91.794/3121)
- No. 2 in NAIA free throw percentage (.782), turnover margin (8.853); No. 3 in total steals (477), 3-pt. fg% (.377), total 3-point fg% (289); No. 5 in scoring margin (21.441); No. 6 in steals/game (14.029); No. 7 in total assists (536); No. 8 in 3-point FGM.game (8.500); No. 10 in fg% (.437)
- Captured the RRAC regular season and tournament titles
- Made the top 25 poll every year since 2012-2013
- Made the national tournament every year since 2011-2012, reaching as high as the second round
- At the conclusion of the 2017-2018 season, Head Coach Christopher Minner had the second highest winning percentage than any other women’s basketball coach in the NAIA at .809. He now has a winning percentage of .811
- The Saints are 3-4 against the Stars. Earlier this season, the Saints won 89-81. In 2012, in the round of 16, the Saints lost 73-91; in 2015, lost 83-108; in 2016, lost 85-87 and won 83-63; in 2017, won 96-93.
Stars facts
- Current record is 32-4
- Ranked 10th in the NAIA Coaches Top 25 Poll
- No. 1 in fg% defense (.295); No. 2 in fg$ (463), total rebound offense (1610), total assists (673), assists/game (18.694), defensive rebounds/game (32.417), total blocks (213), scoring margin (24.222) and total rebound margin (11.083)
- Runners-up in the Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
- 22nd consecutive appearance at nationals and 25th time overall
- Made it to the round of 16 at nationals last year.
- Captured national championships in 1988, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2017
The two teams will play tonight at 9 p.m. central. OLLU, part of the Liston Bracket, is the third seed, while Oklahoma City, part of the Duer Brackett are the third seed.