BARTLESVILLE, Okla. – No. 2 seed Southwestern Oklahoma State captured the inaugural Great American Conference Women’s Basketball Tournament championship with a 69-58 win over No. 4 seed Harding on Sunday inside the Bruin Fieldhouse.

SWOSU (20-9) found itself down early, trailing 14-5 at the 14:18 mark of the opening half, but the Bulldogs responded with a 17-3 scoring over the next seven minutes to hold a five-point lead of 24-19 with 7:28 remaining until halftime. The Bulldogs never lost that lead, taking a 10-point advantage into locker room at halftime and leading by double-digit for all but one occasing in the second half.

The Lady Bisons (18-11) climbed to within nine points with 20 seconds remaining in regulation following a 6-1 scoring run over the previous minute.

With Sunday’s win over Harding, SWOSU won its first post-season tournament championship since 1998 and finished the season on a seven-game winning streak.

GAC player of the year, newcomer of the year and the GAC Tournament Most Valuable Player Darcie Dick led all scorers with 21 points in her final game in a SWOSU uniform. Teammate Sumiya Darden added 18 points and 10 rebounds for her GAC best 15th double-double of the season.

Freshman Arielle Saunders led the Lady Bisons with 19 points and 10 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the year. Teammate Kristen Celsor added 11 points.

2012 GAC WOMEN’S BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM
Darcie Dick, Senior, Guard, Southwestern Oklahoma State (Most Valuable Player)
Sumiya Darden, Senior, Center, Southwestern Oklahoma State
Arielle Saunders, Sophomore, Guard, Harding
Cherilyn McMenamy, Senior, Guard, Harding
A’Laeshia Adams, Senior Guard, Ouachita Baptist
Bailey Welch, Junior, Guard, Southeastern Oklahoma State
Ashley Hobbs, Senior, Forward, Southeastern Oklahoma State
Roselis Silva, Junior, Guard, Arkansas Tech