Oklahoma State ends tragic season with WNIT title

By Jeff Latzke

Associated Press

Published: Saturday, March 31 2012 3:26 p.m. MDT

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Oklahoma State forward Toni Young (15) and James Madison forward Nikki Newman (30) react to a foul call on James Madison in the first half of the WNIT Championship NCAA college basketball game in Stillwater, Okla., Saturday, March 31, 2012.

Sue Ogrocki, Associated Press

Summary

Toni Young scored 25 points, Tiffany Bias added 17 points and 11 assists and Oklahoma State ended a season marked by tragedy by beating James Madison 75-68 on Saturday to win the program's first WNIT championship.

STILLWATER, Okla. — Toni Young scored 25 points, Tiffany Bias added 17 points and 11 assists and Oklahoma State ended a season marked by tragedy by beating James Madison 75-68 on Saturday to win the program's first WNIT championship.

Liz Donohoe notched her fifth straight double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds, and the Cowgirls (22-12) and made it through the tournament without trailing in the second half despite a late charge by the Dukes.

Oklahoma State lost head coach Kurt Budke and assistant Miranda Serna in a Nov. 17 plane crash that also claimed the lives of pilot Olin Branstetter and his wife, Paula.

The season ended with a triumph, though.

Tarik Hislop scored all 16 of her points in the second half to lead James Madison (29-8), but it wasn't enough to overcome a 17-point deficit.

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