OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Owens Community College let a 45-33 halftime lead over Kalamazoo Valley CC slip away yesterday and suffered its first loss in the double-elimination National Junior College Athletic Association women's tournament, 89-80.
The Cougars (32-1) went on a 23-9 run in the first nine minutes of the second half.
Kalamazoo hit 9 of 12 free throws in the final five minutes and made 24 of 35 total free throws. Owens was 9 of 22.
Katie McClure led the Express with 18 points and Stacey Weiland and Niccole Brown (13 rebounds) each had 17.
Owens (24-10) meets Parkland (Ill.) CC at 1 p.m. today.