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C of O Women Claim Second National Basketball Championship in Three Years, Men Finish Fifth

Saturday, March 22, 2025 at 8:49 PM

By Scott McCaulley X @smcckc

Photo by Scott McCaulley

The College of the Ozarks Lady Bobcats win a National Basketball Championship for the second time in three years, this year on their home court.

Hosting the National Christian College Athletic Association Division One Men's and Women's Tournaments for the first time, the Lady Bobcats overcame a hot shooting Mission University Lady Patriots team to a 75-62 win Saturday afternoon at the Keeter Athletic Complex. 

The Lady Patriots built the lead to nine in the first quarter but the Lady Bobcats closed the gap to four at the end of one, then started the second quarter on a 14-2 run. The Lady Bobcats led by 11 at half but as in their semifinal win on Thursday, the Lady Bobcat opponent started the second half on a 7-0 run to cut the lead to four, but the Lady Bobcats regained control and built the lead from there. Mission did have one more run to cut the lead to five with six minutes left, but the Lady Bobcats answered and pulled away to the final margin of victory. 

Susanna Moran, who had a double-double of 15 points and 15 rebounds for C of O, was named Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Blythe Benefield led the Lady Bobcats with 20 points and was also named to the All-Tournament Team. 

Becky Mullis Interview after the Championship Game is below:

C of O Men Take Fifth Place
The College of the Ozarks Men, who lost in overtime to eventual tournament champion Nelson – American Indian College in Wednesday's opening round, rebounded with two straight wins including Friday's 93-83 win over the University of Fort Lauderdale to claim fifth place in the tournament. Garrett Snyder scored 24 points to lead the Bobcats. 

Final Game Scores
Women
College of the Ozarks 75 Mission University 62 (1st)
Oakland City University 75 Asbury University 73 OT (3rd)
University of Northwestern 76 Houghton University 52 (5th)
Ohio Christian University 73 Clinton College 62 (7th)

Men
American Indian College 89 Columbia International University 74 (1st)
Ohio Christian University 51 Hannibal-LaGrange University 44 (3rd)
College of the Ozarks 93 University of Fort Lauderdale 83 (5th)
Justice University 73 Houghton University 49 (1st)

For more information on the tournament, go to the NCCAA Website.

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