WVU Tech Athletics

BECKLEY, West Virginia -- WVU Tech won its second conference title in three years with Tuesday night's 86-74 victory over visiting University of Rio Grande in the River States Conference (RSC) Women's Basketball Championship final at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. 

Junior ShanEttine Butler scored a career-best 22 points while seniors Alexandria Gray and Whittney Justice added 14 apiece to keep WVU Tech (11-8) in front of Rio Grande (18-8). Justice also dished a career-high eight assists while sophomore Brianna Ball matched her career-high with 13 rebounds.

Lexi Woods posted a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds for Rio Grande. Caitlyn Brisker scored 16, and Hailey Jordan added 15 to help bring the RedStorm back from a 14-point deficit in the third quarter. 

WVU Tech held a 37-33 lead at the half. But that increased to 54-40 in the third quarter, the Golden Bears' largest lead of the game. But Rio Grande closed to within three points, 54-51, entering the fourth. 

Tech answered with a run of its own, a 11-2 spurt to start the final period. That put the Golden Bears back up by double digits, and although their last field goal was at the 4:12 mark on a trey by Gray, the 72-59 lead was enough. 

The Golden Bears put the game away at the foul line, where they made 14-of-16 free throws in the final four minutes. They made their final 12 in a row to clinch the title. 

Both teams advance to the NAIA National Championship with automatic bids. The RSC two qualifications go to the conference champion and runner-up. The National Championship Selection Show is Thursday, March 4 at 7 p.m. The NAIA Championship Opening Round begins March 12 at sites around the country.