NCAA BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT : DIVISION II WOMEN’S TOURNAMENT : Delta State Too Tough for Bentley

After defeating second-ranked Cal Poly Pomona by 14 points in the semifinals, Delta State of Mississippi was not expected to have much difficulty against fifth-ranked Bentley of Massachusetts in the NCAA Division II women’s basketball title game Saturday night at Cal Poly Pomona.

So it was hardly a surprise that the top-ranked Lady Statesmen rolled to a 77-43 victory and their second consecutive Division II title.

The Lady Statesmen, who finished 32-1, were led by All-American forward Crystal Hardy with 22 points.

Delta State opened up a 13-2 lead in the first five minutes and extending extended it to 34-19 by halftime.

In the third-place game, Stephanie Coons scored 23 points and Marcine Edmonds added 22 points and 11 rebounds to spark Cal Poly Pomona to an 87-68 victory over Oakland of Michigan.

After trailing, 28-27, Pomona outscored Oakland, 22-4, in the next 8:44 to take a 50-31 halftime lead and coasted the rest of the way. The win gave the Broncos a final record of 29-4. Oakland finished at 27-6.