Collin captures first Region V crown, advances to nationals
The Collin College women accomplished two goals on Saturday in front of a large crowd in the Betty Jo Graber Gym in Weatherford. First, they won the school's first-ever Region V championship by grinding out a 66-61 win over Odessa College in the finals of the women's tournament.
More importantly, the Collin women punched their second straight ticket to the NJCAA women's basketball national tournament.
"It (the Region V tournament) was a great run," said Collin coach Jeff Allen. "Our girls played hard tonight and they deserved it."
With the win, fourth-ranked Collin College improves to 30-2 for the season and became the first Northern Texas Junior College Athletic Conference squad to win the regional tournament in almost 20 years. Odessa, which had entered the game ranked 10th nationally, fell to 29-4.
Allen said Collin's experience – three starters returned from last year's team that advanced to the national tournament for the first time in school history – played a key role in the Cougars' ability to weather Odessa's early run.
"We have so much experience from last year," he said.
And desire to win.
"Last year, we were so close. This (winning the regional tournament) was one of their goals. Now we're try and win at the national tournament."