Sports

Cal Baptist crowned West Region women's basketball champs

Tournament MVP Darsha Burnside ripped down 15 points and blocked five shots Monday to lead Cal Baptist to the NCAA Division II West Region women's basketball championship at the Alaska Airlines Center.

Burnside and her teammates dominated the second half for an 81-58 victory over Cal Poly Pomona in the final game of the eight-team tournament hosted by UAA.

Cal Baptist expanded a 35-27 halftime lead by outscoring Pomona 46-31 in the second half.

Kamille Diaz scored 18 points and Cassidy Mihalko added 16 for Cal Baptist (27-6).

Jada Blackwell's 24 points and Ashley Lovett's 10 points and 13 rebounds powered Pomona, which ended the season 21-9.

Blackwell, Lovett and Mihalko joined Burnside on the all-tournament team, as did Seattle Pacific's Aubree Callen.

ADVERTISEMENT