Perry Leads SDSU Women to 76-63 Win Over Kansas

Chana Perry scored 26 points and had 12 rebounds as San Diego State rallied to defeat Kansas, 76-63, in the championship game of the Dial Soap women’s basketball tournament Wednesday at Peterson Gym. It was the sixth time in eight years that San Diego State has won the tournament title.

Perry, the tournament’s most valuable player, scored 15 of her points in the second half as SDSU (6-2) outscored Kansas, 47-31. Jessica Haynes added 22 points for the Aztecs and Brooke Meadows had 12. Kansas (7-3) was led by Lisa Braddy’s 17 points.

San Diego State opened a 22-9 lead midway through the first half as Perry scored 11 points, but then turnovers cost the Aztecs the lead. Kansas, using a zone press, went on a 21-2 run and took a 32-29 halftime lead.

Both teams had trouble controlling the ball and each had 27 turnovers.

In the second half, a layup by Perry with 6:31 tied the score, 57-57, and SDSU took control from there. Haynes had two baskets and Perry one during an 8-1 run as the Aztecs opened a 65-58 lead with 4:24 left.

In the consolation game, Texas A&M; broke open a tight game midway through the first half and went on to a 76-46 victory over Texas El Paso. Donna Roper scored 28 points to lead Texas A&M; (5-3) and Evelyn Sanders added 14. Lisa Watson scored 21 points to lead UTEP (4-10).

University of San Diego 75, Fordham 57--Candida Echevirria had 18 points and 11 rebounds at USD. Jane Gilpin added 14 for USD, which led 46-35 at the half. Jeanine Radice led Fordham with 29 points. USD made 25 of 34 free throws and outrebounded Fordham,, 48-28.

United States International 77, Wyoming 66--Sonya Carter scored 26 points to lead four players in double figures at USIU. Fiona Murray added 15 points, Daisy Mendes had 12 and Amanda Spry 11 for USIU (5-5). Wyoming was led by Christine Fairless, who scored 33 points. Fairless made 14 of 18 shots. USIU took the lead for good, 11-10, on a five-foot jump shot by Mendes with 14:06 left in the first half. USIU had its biggest lead of the game, 68-53, with 4:52 left.