This is it.
In dramatic fashion on a Mimi McCollister running floater from mid-lane with 0.2 seconds remaining, the Lady Cardinals kept their hopes for a ninth national championship alive with a 71-70 win against Eastern Florida State.
In the title game of the NJCAA WBB D1 Championship Tournament tonight, the third-seeded Lady Cardinals (34-2) will face a familiar foe in eighth-seeded Northwest Florida State (28-4). Game time is 8 p.m. at Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock.
The game will play before a national television audience on ESPNU.
It will be the second time the two finalists have played this season and will be a rematch of the 2021 national title game. The Lady Cardinals, who fell 67-60 to the Raiders in the game for all the marbles two years ago, were a 76-65 winner earlier this season in the Budke/Serna Thanksgiving Classic at Cardinal Gym.
Tonight's game will be the fifth overall time the Lady Cardinals and Raiders have played in NJCAA tournament with the Lady Cardinals owning a 3-1 edge, having won in 2014 (94-63), 2016 (68-51) and 2019 (61-49).
Northwest Florida State earned its title game berth with a 69-56 win against fourth-seeded Southern Idaho.
The Lady Cardinals, who now own an 81-23 national tournament record, will be appearing in their 16th national title game in 28 tournament appearances. Keep in mind the 2020 tournament, when they were the No. 1 seed, was canceled due to Covid.
Here are the Lady Cardinals' all-time championship game results:
1994 – (W) Westark, 104-95
1995 – (L) Westark, 87-75
1996 – (W) Independence, 69-55
1997 – (W) Central Florida, 79-69
1998 – (L) Central Arizona, 73-63
1999 – (W) Central Arizona, 77-53
2004 – (W) Gulf Coast, 77-66
2011 – (L) North Idaho, 90-81
2012 – (W) Hutchinson, 69-55
2013 – (W) Central Arizona, 83-71
2014 – (W) Hutchinson, 65-46
2016 – (L) Gulf Coast, 63-47
2017 – (L) Gulf Coast, 87-63
2019 – (L) Tallahassee, 69-51
2021 – (L) Northwest Florida State, 67-60
Sunday night's win against Eastern Florida State was a milestone moment for Lady Cardinal head coach Precious Ivy. It was her 100th win. She is now 100-12.
The Lady Cardinals' only two blemishes on their record this season were overtime losses to Eastern Oklahoma (95-80) and Blinn (81-76). Since the Blinn loss, they have won 15 straight.
In addition to the Lady Cardinals, Northwest Florida State's other losses this season were to Eastern Florida State (62-53 and 48-43) and Gulf Coast (95-91).
On the weather front, it's 40 and clear in Lubbock on this championship Monday morning. The high is expected to hit 65 under a partly sunny sky.
Let's get this done, Lady Cardinal fans. Wear as much red as possible today and settle in front of your television tonight and cheer the Lady Cardinals on in their quest for a ninth national title.
-- BENNY ROGERS
SUNDAY
Then there were four.
The NJCAA WBB D1 Championship Tournament in Lubbock is down to four teams with a chance to win it all.
Joining the third-seeded Lady Cardinals, who trying to add to their NJCAA-leading eight national titles, are No. 2 Eastern Florida State, No. 4 Southern Idaho and No. 8 Northwest Florida State.
The national semifinals are scheduled today at Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian University. The Lady Cardinals (33-2) play Eastern Florida State (33-1) at 6 p.m. after Southern Idaho (31-2) and Northwest Florida State (27-4) play at 4 p.m.
The championship game is set for 8 p.m. Monday. It will be televised on ESPNU.
The Lady Cardinals advanced to the semifinals with another sterling performance in an 84-61 rout of No. 6 Jones County. They led by as much as 32 in the second half. Jones County finished the year 26-4 with three of the losses to the Lady Cardinals.
The win was the Lady Cardinals' 80th in the tournament. They are now 80-23.
In the other quarterfinals, it was: Northwest Florida State 72, No. 1 South Georgia Tech 61; Eastern Florida State 82, No. 7 Wabash Valley 77 and Southern Idaho 79, No. 5 Blinn 64.
In this their 28th national tournament appearance (27, not counting 2020 when Covid canceled the tournament), the Lady Cardinals will be playing in their 18th national semifinal. They are 15-2 in those games with an average margin of victory of 13.3.
Here are the all-time NJCAA semifinal results for the Lady Cardinals:
1994 – (W) Sullivan, 100-77
1995 – (W) Okaloosa-Walton, 104-77
1996 – (W) Casper, 85-77
1997 – (W) Central Arizona, 82-64
1998 – (W) Howard, 79-67
1999 – (W) Midland, 89-64
2004 – (W) Central Arizona, 85-61
2011 – (W) North Oklahoma-Enid, 86-73
2012 – (W) Pensacola, 71-66
2013 – (W) Gulf Coast, 75-71
2014 – (W) Central Arizona, 82-63
2015 – (L) Chipola, 62-48
2016 – (W) Shelton State, 61-56
2017 – (W) Shelton State, 68-66
2018 – (W) Shelton State, 65-63
2019 – (L) Gulf Coast. 77-67
2021 – (W) Chipola, 77-66
Precious Ivy, in her third full year (fourth overall) as Lady Cardinal head coach, will be seeking her 100th career win tonight. She is 99-12.
Tonight's semifinals are available for viewing online at njcaa.org/network. Note: A subscription fee is required.
It's a chilly 37 in Lubbock this morning. The high today is forecast to reach 68 under a partly sunny sky.
Big day, Lady Cardinal fans. Get that red on, send positive vibes and cheer on the Lady Cardinals tonight!
-- BENNY ROGERS
SATURDAY
The top eight seeds have all survived and arrived at the quarterfinals in the NJCAA WBB D1 Championship Tournament.
They'll all go at it today at Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian University. At stake will be tickets to the Final Four in the semifinal games set for 4 and 6 p.m. Sunday.
The No. 3 seed Lady Cardinals (32-2) earned their seat at the Elite Eight table today with an impressive 73-50 win against No. 14 seed McLennan. After falling behind 10-4 early in the opening quarter, the Lady Cardinals hit their stride and ran off and hid.
Jones County (26-3), the No. 6 seed and their opponent tonight at 7, hit a shot at the buzzer to knock of No. 11 seed Gulf Coast and earn the right to take on the Lady Cardinals, winning 71-69.
The Lady Cardinals and Jones will be playing for a third time this season. The Lady Cardinals won both regular season contests, winning 86-78 and 87-71.
Tonight's game will be the Lady Cardinals' 103rd national tournament game, but will be only the second against Jones at the event. At the 2018 tournament, the Lady Cardinals were a 78-69 winner.
The Lady Cardinals carry a 13-game winning streak into tonight's game. Jones has won 20 straight.
Here are Friday's results (seedings in parenthesis):
(4) Southern Idaho 61, (20) New Mexico 58
(5) Blinn 80, North Dakota SCS 63
(3) Trinity Valley 73, (14) McLennan 50
(6) Jones 71, (11) Gulf Coast 69
Here is today's schedule:
1 p.m. – (1) South Georgia Tech vs. (8) Northwest Florida State
3 p.m. – (2) Eastern Florida State vs. (7) Wabash Valley
5 p.m. – (4) Southern Idaho vs. (5) Blinn
7 p.m. – (3) Trinity Valley vs. (6) Jones
The Trinity Valley-Jones winner moves on to face the Eastern Florida State-Wabash Valley winner at 6 p.m. Sunday.
All tournament games are available for viewing online at njcaa.org/network. Note: A subscription fee is required.
The tournament runs through Monday, when the title game is set for 8 p.m. It will be televised on ESPNU.
Another sunny and breezy day is expected in Lubbock with a high of 65 in the forecast. It's 46 and clear this morning.
You know the drill, Lady Cardinal fans. Wear plenty of red and keep the positive vibes coming.
-- BENNY ROGERS
FRIDAY
It's a Lone Star State showdown in Lubbock.
The third-seeded Lady Cardinals (31-2) are scheduled to face No. 14-seeded McLennan (28-4) today at 5 p.m. in the NJCAA WBB D1 Championship Tournament at Rip Griffin Center on the campus of Lubbock Christian University.
While the Lady Cardinals, who received an opening round bye, will be playing their first game since the Region XIV championship game on March 11, Waco-based McLennan was a 50-47 overtime winner Thursday morning against No. 19 Murray State.
At stake in today's game is a spot in the national quarterfinals (Elite Eight). The winner moves on to face the Jones-Gulf Coast winner at 6 p.m. Saturday. Jones is seeded No. 6 and Gulf Coast is No. 11.
The Lady Cardinals, who have won 12 straight, are averaging 79.9 points per game, giving up 59.6. McLennan's numbers are similar at 72.6 and 54.4.
The Lady Cardinals are making their 16th straight appearance at the tournament and 28th overall. McLennan is at the tournament for the first time since 1984.
Friday's game will be the 102nd national tournament game in school history. The Lady Cardinals are 78-22.
After five upsets in six opening round games Wednesday, there were no surprises Thursday. Here are the results (seedings in parenthesis):
(14) McLennan 50, (19) Murray State 47 (OT)
(11) Gulf Coast 71, (22) Three Rivers 47
(1) South Georgia Tech 54, Moberly Area 49
(8) Northwest Florida State 59, (9) Shelton State 51
(2) Eastern Florida State 73, (18) Walters State 45
(7) Wabash Valley 60, (23) Cochise 57
Here is today's schedule:
1 p.m. – (4) Southern Idaho vs. (20) New Mexico
3 p.m. – (5) Blinn vs. (21) North Dakota SCS
5 p.m. – (3) Trinity Valley vs. (14) McLennan
7 p.m. – (6) Jones vs. (11) Gulf Coast
All tournament games are available for viewing online at njcaa.org/network. Note: A subscription fee is required.
The tournament runs through Monday, when the title game is set for 8 p.m. It will be televised on ESPNU.
After back-to-back days of highs in the 80s, it's going to be cooler today with a high of 66 in the forecast. It's 49 and cloudy this morning.
It's time, Lady Cardinal fans. Put on the red today and send Texas-sized positive vibes out this way.
-- BENNY ROGERS
THURSDAY
The Lady Cardinals will be more than casual observers this morning at Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock when the second day of the NJCAA WBB D1 Championship Tournament begins.
No. 14 seed McLennan (27-4) and No. 19 seed Murray State (26-6) play at 10 a.m. The third-seeded Lady Cardinals, who had a bye in the opening round, have a vested interest, as they will play the winner at 5 p.m. Friday in the Sweet Sixteen.
The Lady Cardinals (31-2), making their 16th straight trip to the tournament and 28th overall, arrived in Lubbock around 3 p.m. Wednesday.
Friday's game will be the 102nd national tournament game in school history.
The tournament got underway Wednesday with six games and featured five upsets. Here are the results (seedings in parenthesis):
(17) Moberly Area 64, (16) Barton (2-OT)
(9) Shelton State 72, (24) Monroe (48)
(18) Walters State 76, (15) Casper 67
(23) Cochise 63, (10) Collin 52
(20) New Mexico 48, (13) Dodge City 38
(21) North Dakota SCS 72, (12) Eastern Arizona 66
Yes, teams seeded 17, 18, 20, 21 and 23 all won. Will it be another year like last year when Tyler, seeded 17, won it all? Stay tuned.
Here is the slate of games on tap today:
10 a.m. – (19) Murray State vs. (14) McLennan
12 p.m. – (22) Three Rivers vs. (11) Gulf Coast
2 p.m. – (17) Moberly Area vs. (1) South Georgia Tech
4 p.m. – (9) Shelton State vs. (8) Northwest Florida State
6 p.m. – (18) Walters State vs. (2) Eastern Florida State
8 p.m. – (23) Cochise vs. (7) Wabash Valley)
All tournament games are available for viewing online at njcaa.org/network. Note: A subscription fee is required.
The tournament runs through Monday, when the title game is set for 8 p.m. It will be televised on ESPNU.
It's going to be another warm, breezy day in Lubbock with the high expected to hit 80. We are starting out in the mid-50s this morning. The forecast the rest of the week is calling for high temperatures in the 60s.
One more day, Cardinal fans. Get the red ready to wear Friday.
-- BENNY ROGERS
WEDNESDAY
Ready. Set. Wait.
Though the NJCAA WBB DI Championship Tournament tips off at Rip Griffin Center in Lubbock this morning, the Region XIV champion and third-seeded Lady Cardinals, who received a first-round bye, are playing a waiting game.
The Lady Cardinals (31-2) are scheduled to play the McLennan-Murray State winner at 5 p.m. Friday. McLennan, the 14th seed at 27-4 and Murray State, the 19th seed at 26-6, play at 10 a.m. Thursday.
The Lady Cardinals are making their 28th overall and 16th straight appearance in the tournament. They will be attempting to reach the championship game for a ninth time in 13 years.
In national tournament games, the Lady Cardinals are 78-23, having won an NJCAA-leading eight championships.
Here's another staggering number as it pertains to the Lady Cardinals and their national tournament prowess. Of the 78 wins, 48 have been by double digits.
Teams in this year's tournament should know each other quite well. Of the 24, 17 participated in last year's event. Returning with the Lady Cardinals are Walters State, Three Rivers, Jones, Wabash Valley, Casper, Southern Idaho, Shelton State, Northwest Florida State, South Georgia Tech, New Mexico, Moberly Area, Eastern Florida State, Murray State, Blinn, North Dakota SCS and Monroe.
All tournament games will be available for viewing online at njcaa.org/network. In fact, all tournament games will be webcast. Note: A subscription fee is required.
The tournament runs through Monday, when the title game is set for 8 p.m. It will be televised on ESPNU.
Lady Cardinal head coach Precious Ivy could record a milestone win at the tournament, if the Lady Cardinals make a run. At 97-12, she is three wins shy of career win no. 100. She is 5-2 in national tournament games.
The Lady Cardinals are scheduled to leave for Lubbock at 7 this morning. They will depart from Cardinal Gym.
Gas prices are down considerably since last year's tournament, when the average was $3.91. This year it's $3.05.
Here are the average prices the last 17 trips to the national tournament:
2004 -- $1.67
2006 -- $2.42
2008 -- $3.11
2009 -- $1.79
2010 -- $2.67
2011 -- $3.39
2012 -- $3.65
2013 -- $3.46
2014 -- $3.35
2015 -- $2.25
2016 -- $1.77
2017 -- $2.07
2018 -- $2.32
2019 -- $2.32
2021 -- $2.55
2022 -- $3.91
2023 -- $3.05
On the weather front, it's 61 and cloudy in Lubbock this morning. We are headed to a high of 84 under a partly sunny sky, according to the forecast.
OK, fans back home, enjoy the day and get ready to start cheering the Lady Cardinals on starting Friday.
-- BENNY ROGERS
