Cantu's Last Second Shot Propels Texas Lutheran Women to SCAC Title

(Portions of this story taken from the Texas Lutheran University website)
(Photo by Josh Moczygemba)

SAN ANTONIO, Texas - Tournament MVP Karisa Cantu hit a 12-footer with 2.3 seconds remaining to give Texas Lutheran University a 54-52 victory over Trinity University in the championship game of the 2014 SCAC Women's Basketball Tournament. Box Score | Official Tournament Website | Karisa Cantu (TLU) Postgame Interview | Kristen Lye (TLU) Postgame Interview | Mel Dixon (TLU) Interview | Cameron Hill (TU) Postgame Interview

The Bulldogs' Kristen Lye tied the game with a layup with :09 seconds remaining after a walking call on Trinity, TLU had the ball with a chance to win. Cantu took the inbounds pass the length of the floor and her jumper just outside the lane with 2.3 seconds remaining (Watch the shot) gave Texas Lutheran their first conference title in women's basketball since 1984-85 (Big State Conference).

With the victory, Texas Lutheran improves to a school-record 23-5 and earns the SCAC's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. The Bulldogs also extends their school-record winning streak to 14 games.

Lye finished with a team-high 15 points and eight rebounds and was joined Cantu on the SCAC All-Tournament Team. Cantu scored all eight of her points in the second half. She added five rebounds and three assists. Taylor Dydalewicz scored nine and recorded four rebounds for TLU, and Bulldog forward Autumn Shead pulled down eight rebounds.

SCAC Player-of-the-Year Anecia Richardson led Trinity (20-8) with 22 points and 13 rebounds and was also named to the All-Tournament Team as was Hannah Coley, who finished with 13 points and eight rebounds.

Christy Allen of the University of Dallas and Bailey Harris of Schreiner University were also selected to the All-Tournament Team.

Both teams struggled from the field on Sunday. TLU shot 33.3 percent from the floor, and Trinity hit just 30 percent. Rebounds were even at 44. TLU took better care of the basketball, winning the turnover battle 12 to 20.

The Bulldogs had yet to play in a conference tournament as a Division III member much less win a conference tournament. Now TLU is headed to the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Championship.

TLU will learn its NCAA opponent and destination on Monday. The NCAA DIII Women's Basketball Selection Show starts at 1:30 p.m. central on ncaa.com/sports.