Final Score:   College of the Ozarks 75, Mission University 62
Location:  College of the Ozarks (Keeter Gymnasium) Point Lookout, Missouri
SPRINGFIELD, Missouri – The season came to a disappointing end for the Lady patriots as they fell to host College of the Ozarks, 75-62, in the National Title game.  The Lady Patriots played well in the opening quarter, getting out to a 21-12 advantage, but had to settle for a 21-15 lead after the first quarter ended.  Personal fouls to starters, Josie Sullivan and Heaven Shockley mounted up in the second quarter, as neither player played a third of the quarter.  That, coupled with starter Brooklyn Luna out of the game entirely due to an injury, put the burden on role players Laney Humble and Karlie Sampson.  They played well as fill-ins, but it was Cassidy Hambelton's 16 first half points that kept the hopes alive of a Patriots comeback in the second half.  Hambelton, constantly badgered and physically manhandled by the Lady Bobcats did what she could, as the Lady Patriots were outscored 24-9 in the second quarter without three starters, to trail 43-32
The third quarter began with the Lady patriots rallying, even pulling within four points, 43-39, after a Sullivan jumper at 8:23.  Twice later in the third period the Lady Pats trailed by five points, but had the ball and a chance to cut into the deficit, but turnovers, poor shot selection, and the lack of fouls called on the Lady Bobcats made any rally nearly impossible to pull off.  Mission shaved just two points off the lead by the end of the third quarter to trail 54-45.  The Lady Pats could only get as close as a 5 point deficit, when Hambelton canned a long three-pointer to make it 59-52 with 7 minutes remaining, then a driving layup 15 seconds later to draw within 59-54.  The Lady Bobcats then slowly iced the game.  Heaven Shockley was named to the All-Tournament Team.  Hambelton was not, despite being the team's leading scorer in the tournament, the tournament's leading assist maker (13), and steals leader (15).    
HIGHLIGHTS

• Cassidy Hambelton, led the team with 24 points.
• Heaven Shockley tore down 8 Rebounds to pace the squad.
• Hambelton had 5 Assists to pace the team.
• Shockley made 3 Blocked Shots on the Lady Bobcats.
• Other players in double figures: Josie Sullivan 15, and Shockley 10 Points.

UP NEXT 
The Lady Patriots say good bye to our graduate student athlete and seniors:  Josie Sullivan, Brooklyn Luna, and Karlie Sampson.