DALLAS, Texas – The No. 8 Dallas Christian College women's basketball team concluded its regular season at home with a valiant effort against No. 3 Champion Christian College. The Crusaders battled throughout the game to stay close and it wasn't until a 26-10 fourth quarter helped Champion Christian put the game away.
A quartet of Crusaders were recognized as part of "Senior Night" with it being their final appearance at home in their careers.
Leia Twine,
Courtnee Locke,
Nina Hedrington, and
Faith Salinas were honored. Twine transferred in the spring of 2021 and was part of the team's 14-3 second half run that led to being the runners-up in the NCCAA Southwest Regional Tournament. Locke and Hedrington were original members that started past part of a six-person roster with Head Coach
Larry Tidwell. Hedrington is graduating with her Associates Degree this May, while Locke, the longest tenured member in the program with three seasons, will finish next year online and graduate in December 2022. Salinas played one season with DCC, but the veteran transfer is on her final semester of playing and has been a great impact as a starting forward.
In addition, this was Coach Tidwell's final time to coach at home for the Crusaders, as he
announced his retirement from coaching after over 40 years.
Tidwell adjusted his starting five to have the four seniors out at the same time.
Keiarra Rivers was the only non-senior and normal starter along with Salinas to begin on the court.
Rivers was excellent with a double-double by leading all players with 21 points. She also had 11 rebounds, two steals, and a blocked shot.
Through the first two minutes, it was an exciting time for the Crusaders as the home team jumped out to a 7-0 lead that included a trey by Hedrington and jumper by Salinas. After Champion Christian got on the board with a three-pointer, DCC got a second jumper by Rivers to make it 9-3. The Tigers made five three-pointers, including three straight treys to turn the momentum and open a 19-11 advantage. They even benefitted from getting fouled on a three attempt the next offensive possession and Rebecca Farmer came through with them to open a 22-13 advantage with three minutes left in the first. A free throw by
Mckayla Washington and layup by
Amber Covington would conclude the scoring for the first quarter, as DCC held the Tigers scoreless the final three minutes, which was similar to how the opening three started.
Covington got DCC to within two points for the first points in the second quarter. Justys Irish-Holmes drilled a three-pointer and the Tigers ran their lead to seven (27-20) in the early stages of the stanza. Five points that included a triple by Salinas brought the score back to within two and six and half minutes before the break. After clawing to try and find a way to equal the score, the Crusaders did that has
Journie Hilliard snatched a steal and Locke would get a pass to Rivers on the fast break. With the score knotted at 29, Twine put in a trifecta just in front of the Crusaders bench to make it 32-29. After fighting to hold the narrow lead, Imani Honey sank a trey to make it 34-33 with just under four minutes to go. DCC got within one at 37-36 with 1:17 left, but the final four points went to the guests to put Champion Christian up 41-36.
The Tigers shot 40.5 percent (15-37) from the field and 7-of-16 from downtown (43.8) in the opening 20 minutes. They did change the dynamic in the second half, as the team shot 1-for-18 from three in that duration. Champion Christian did turn the ball over three times in the second half compared to 14 in the first.
In the third quarter, the Crusaders were outscored by three, as they ended down by eight (57-49). It was another 10-minute stretch that the home team continued to fight to keep pace with a top-three ranked Champion Christian squad. Behind as many as 13 with four minutes left in the third, the Crusaders got a trey from
Briana Davis and layup by
Taylor Brokenberry to make it 55-47 and two and a half minutes to go. After a block by Hilliard, she would make a layup to close the margin to 55-49 in under two minutes.
DCC ran out of steam in the final 10 minutes, as the lead ran up to as many as 15 and the Tigers roared away to finish the game big.
Rivers scored 15 points and had six rebounds in the first half. Covington also tallied a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 13 boards. She had seven points in the first half. Salinas added seven points and rebounds and had four assists. Locke ended her final home game with a team-leading five dimes. The Crusaders as a team had eight blocks.
DCC finished with 55 rebounds, which was the 14
th game this season to finish above 50 in that category. However, they were outdone by two overall and 21-18 on the offensive boards.
Champion held a 25-15 edge on points off turnovers, 21-9 edge on second chance points, including 17-1 in the second half. DCC was up 8-4 at halftime in those hustle point situations. The Tigers also finished with an edge on points in the paint, 38-24, which was headlined by 26 for CCC in the last 20 minutes.
Honey and Destiny Gonzalez each had 17 points to lead the Tigers, while Honey pulled down 11 boards for a double-double. Elsa Gonzalez also cracked double-digits in rebounds with 10.
The Tigers moved to 13-5 overall and 6-1 against regional teams. Dallas Christian fell to 21-8 and 5-6 in regional play.
DCC finishes the regular season with 21 wins, the most in program history, and will turn its attention to the NCCAA Division II Southwest Regional hosted at Kansas Christian College in Overland Park, Kansas. The first date of the women's tournament will be Thursday, February 24.
The next NCCAA Top 10 poll is scheduled to be released on Tuesday, Feb. 22. The Crusaders are ranked eighth and have been listed in each poll this season. The latest Power Ratings that were out on Feb. 15 have DCC ranked fourth at 16-6 and at a 72.7% mark. To learn more about the Power Ratings and how they are calculated, please
click here.
MORE ABOUT THE SENIORS
#1 Leia Twine
Leia is being escorted by
her Mom, Latonia Twine and Dad John Twine. The 5'1" guard from Fort Worth, Texas, joined the Crusaders in the spring 2021 season. In three semesters, Leia played in 44 games, and has tallied 181 points with most coming from the three-point arc with 35. She is the team leader this season for DCC with 23. Leia is majoring in Business Administration. She plans on owning her own business. Her favorite Bible Verse is JOSHUA 1:9 – Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord Your God, is with you wherever you go.
#10 Courtnee Locke
Courtnee is being escorted by her
Aunt Suzanne Verwille, Uncle Jeff Stauffer, and Best Friend Kelly Graves. The 5'2" guard from Little Elm, Texas, has been with the Crusaders for the longest tenure of three seasons. In 67 games, Courtnee has compiled 321 points, 213 rebounds, 171 assists, and 139 steals. Courtnee is majoring in Psychology and plans to become a social worker. Her favorite Bible Verse is PHILIPPIANS 4:13 – I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
#24 Nina Hedrington
Nina is being escorted by
her Dad Joe, Mom Dolly, Brother Steven, and Nephew James. The 5'2" guard from The Colony, Texas, has played the past two seasons with Dallas Christian. She has appeared in 28 games and totaled 51 points on the strength of 13 made three-pointers. Nina has 14 assists and 10 steals. Nina is finishing her Associates in Business this May. She wants to start her own business after college. Her favorite Bible Verse is PHILIPPIANS 2:14 – Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God.
#42 Faith Salinas
Faith is being escorted by
Richard and Dee Salinas. The 5'10" forward joined the Crusaders this year, but has used her previous playing experience to help infuse with the youth on this roster. Faith has played in 22 games and is top three on the team in several categories including: points with 137 and rebounds with 162. She also has 34 steals, 11 blocks, and 27 assists. Faith is majoring in Biblical Studies. She will pursue her master's degree next year. Her favorite Bible Verse is PROVERBS 3: 5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own – in all ways submit to Him and He will make your paths straight.
TIDWELL ON SENIORS:
These four young ladies have helped tremendously change the dcc wbb program on and off the court. Previously before their arrival – sixteen consecutive losing seasons!! Since their arrival – two consecutive winning seasons with a record of 36 – 16 to date with one national tournament appearance and another one secured for the 2021-22 season!
Both feet in!!
"Dallas Christian educates and mentors students to be people of influence engaging in their calling to the work of Christ in the church and in the world."
