The 12-team NJCAA Division III Women’s Basketball National Championship tournament concluded Saturday afternoon with the No. 1 seed Minnesota West Community & Tech Lady Jays hoisting the championship trophy following a 51-41 victory over the No. 2 seed Anoka-Ramsey Community College Golden Rams at the Brownwood Coliseum.

Minnesota West (26-5) – from Worthington, Minnesota – limited Anoka-Ramsey (24-6) – from Coon Rapids, Minnesota – to just 23 percent shooting (16 of 69) from the floor, including a mere 8 percent (2 of 23) on three-pointers. The Golden Rams also connected on just 58 percent (7 of 12) of their free throws.

The victorious Lady Jays, meanwhile, converted 38 percent (17 of 45) of their shots and 70 percent (14 of 20) of their free throws. Minnesota West also owned a 45-40 edge in rebounds to help overcome 27 turnovers, while forcing 17 by Anoka-Ramsey.

Payton Riemers came off the bench to score a game-high 24 points for Minnesota West followed by a double-double of 11 points and 20 rebounds from tournament MVP Katrina Schutz. Sadie Krahling added seven points along with three from Izzy Klumper and two points apiece from Maddie Kamm and Katelyn Frodermann.

The Golden Rams received double-doubles of 15 points and 11 rebounds from Tereya McDaniel-Vaughn and 15 points and 10 boards from Mariam Alowonle to spark their performance. Anisa Longs chipped in six points, Novi Sands-Hannah added three points and Destiny Casey contributed two points.

Leading by 12 points at halftime, 26-14, Minnesota West witnessed Anoka-Ramsey close the gap to five, 29-24, with 5:52 left in the third period. But the Blue Jays countered with a run of 10 consecutive points to regain complete momentum of the contest, 39-24, with 2:57 left until the fourth quarter.

In the final period, the Golden Rams crept within six points, 44-38, with 5:59 to go, but the Minnesota West defense surrendered just one bucket the rest of the contest, while the offense tacked on seven points.

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THIRD PLACE GAME

#6 Northland 86, #5 Fulton-Montgomery 60

The No. 6 seed Northland Community & Tech Pioneers cruised to an 86-60 victory over the No. 5 seed Fulton-Montgomery Community College Lady Raiders in Saturday’s third-place game.

Northland (26-6) – from Thief River Falls, Minnesota – trailed Fulton-Montgomery (24-5) – from Johnstown, New York – by a 14-13 count after one quarter, but grabbed a 41-31 advantage by halftime that ballooned to 63-44 prior the final period.

Leading the way for the victorious Pioneers were Josie Peterson with 28 points and Kenzie Dahl with a double-double of 24 points and 11 rebounds.

The Lady Raiders received 25 points from Hailey Monroe and 10 points from Kieonna Christmas.

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FIFTH PLACE GAME

#7 Owens 63, #8 Onondaga 53

The No. 7 seed Owens Community College Express concluded their season with a victory in Saturday’s fifth-place game, 63-53 over the No. 8 seed Onondaga Community College Lazers.

Trailing 14-12 after one quarter, Owens (24-9) – from Perrysburg, Ohio – took the lead over Onondaga (25-6) – based out of Syracuse, New York – by a 29-26 count at halftime, which increased to 45-37 by the end of the third period.

Owens was fueled by 22 points from Da’Cariya Lanier, a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds from Emily Baer, and 10 points from Liv Mullins.

For Onondaga, Aunnie Stier poured in 13 points along with 10 points apiece from Jada Crocker and Morgan Vasquez.