Monroe College (31-6) captured its second straight national championship on Saturday in the NJCAA Division II women’s basketball finals at Lorene Ramsey Gymnasium, with a 78-73 victory over Lake Michigan (30-5). Breauna Rivoli-Johnson finished with a game-high 27 points, shooting 10-for-13 from the field with five three point shots for the Lady Indians. Jasmine McRoy iced the game for the Mustangs, knocking down a pair of free throws with 1.4 seconds remaining to seal the victory for Monroe. Aivah Parham scored 22 and McRoy added 21 points for the Mustangs, who shot 43.1 percent from the field. “I think this year was tougher than last year,” said Monroe coach James Robinson. “I couldn’t have come to the national tournament with a better group of girls. I am so proud of them.”
-Bob
Ninth seeded Monroe College (30-6) from New Rochelle, NY outlasted the fourth seeded Louisburg (30-2) lady Hurricanes from Louisburg, NC 74-69 to advance to the championship game. The Mustangs had 4 players in double figures, led by Aivah Parham with 18 points, Jasmine McRoy with 16, Kashay Barnes with 15 and 6’5″ center Verdine Warner added 14 points along with 14 rebounds. Louisburg’s Jazmine Parker scored 19 points, Olivia Gaines added 15. Monroe will try to defend there 2011 NJCAA Div. II championship against Lake Michigan (30-4) Saturday night at 7:30 p.m. on the Lorene M. Ramsey Gymnasium on the campus of Illinois Central College.
-Bob
Southern Methodist University reserve forward Robbie Derschang scored a pair of late goals, including the winner in the 84th minute, lifting the 18th-ranked Mustangs (7-0-0) to a 3-1 victory over the Bradley Braves (3-3-1) in the final game of the Hotels at Grand Prairie Classic Sunday afternoon at Shea Stadium.
-Bob
The # 18 SMU men’s soccer team defeated # 16 Creighton Bluejays with a come-from-behind 3-2 double-overtime win in the Bradley Tournament Friday night. Freshman Juan Castillo scored a goal and junior Arthur Ivo converted two penalty kicks for the Mustangs. SMU is now 6-0-0 on the season.
-Bob
