Both Tabor College basketball teams earned wins in the KCAC championship games at Hartman Arena Monday night.
The Tabor women opened with an 85-51 victory over Southwestern. The Bluejay men defeated Sterling, 97-90, in overtime.
WOMEN?Red-hot shooting propelled the Tabor College women to an 85-51 victory over top-seeded Southwestern in the KCAC championship Monday.
Tabor limited the Moundbuilders, who were previously unbeaten in KCAC play, to 37.5 percent shooting from the field (18-48) in the game. Tabor, meanwhile shot a sizzling 54.4 percent from the field (31-57), including 38.5 percent from three (10-26).
Southwestern opened with a three-pointer, but Mallory Zuercher made a tying three 18 seconds later. The Moundbuilders built a 7-5 lead before Janelle Rust fired off back to back threes to ignite a 15-0 Bluejay run for a 20-7 Tabor lead at 12:25.
After Southwestern drew within 24-15 with a three-pointer, Rust and Zuercher drained back-to-back threes. Kaleigh Troxell added to the effort with back-to-back baskets to extend the lead to 34-17. Lewis grabbed a steal and scored at 3:18, and Troxell followed with two scores of her own, including a three-point play that pushed Tabor?s margin to 41-19 with 2:03 left in the half. The Moundbuilders scored the half?s final basket for a 41-21 score at intermission.
The hot Bluejay shooting continued in the second half with a 12-4 Tabor run in the first 4:48 for a 53-25 Tabor advantage after Tena Loewen scored in the paint. After Paust and Lewis combined for seven of eight made free throws, Tabor led, 62-32, with 10:47 to play.
The closest Southwestern drew after that was 66-41 with 8:45 to go, but Tabor answered with a 16-4 run. Reed cleared his bench with about three minutes to go, and Tabor cruised to the 85-51 victory.
Lewis scored 20 points, Dean added 16 and Rust 13. 
MEN?Lance Carter provided the spark Tabor needed to earn a 97-90 overtime win over second-seeded Sterling in the KCAC championship game Monday night.
Carter, who scored a game-high 42 points and grabbed 17 rebounds, scored Tabor?s first seven points for an early 7-1 lead.
But Sterling scored back-to-back threes and a two-pointer to lead, 11-9. The Warriors extended it to 22-16 after scoring off a Tabor turnover.
The Bluejays used a 5-0 run to close the gap, but the Warriors gained distance, 30-24 and went on to build a 46-35 cushion.
Carter scored two free throws and Thomas added a bucket for a 46-39 margin at intermission.
Tabor drew within 47-43, and Carter kept Tabor within reach with two threes for a 58-53 score.
Sterling extended the lead to 63-54 with a three, but Tabor closed the gap to 66-62 when Carter and Biggs made consecutive baskets.
Biggs drained a three and Carter followed with a basket, and Marc Hopkinson later scored a three that gave Tabor a 70-69 lead with 7:15 left in the game.
The teams traded blows, and Sterling took an 80-79 lead with a three with 2:18 left to play.
Samuel scored to put Tabor in front, but a Warrior three put Sterling up 83-81.
After a Thomas free throw, a Sterling bucket extended the Warrior lead to 85-82 with just 25 seconds left. Nick Sauer drained a tying three with 7.7 seconds left to send it into overtime.
Tabor took control in the extra period, scoring five unanswered points before Sterling scored two free throws. Tabor made seven of eight free throws in the final minute to win, 97-90.
Joining Carter in double-digit scoring were Biggs with 16 points and Thomas with 15.
COMING?With the wins, Tabor will advance to the NAIA National Championship Tournament. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
