Shelton State women's basketball first chance at a national championship came up just short.
The Bucanners, led by former Alabama star Madonna Thompson, who helped lead the Crimson Tide to a Final Four, fell 62-53 to NW Florida State in Casper, Wyo., in the NJCAA National Championship game.
Shelton State trailed by as many as 12 points with 3:33 in the fourth quarter but got the game within three points with 90 seconds remaining. The Bucs missed three shots after NW Florida got back to a five-point lead.
It was the first title game appearance for the Bucaneers, who were in the Final Four for the first time since 2018. They responded with a run to the national title game as an at-large eight seed after falling to Wallace State-Hanceville in the ACCC title game.
Lameria Thomas shines in final Shelton State game
For the 15th time this season, Lameria Thomas had double-digit rebounds with 16 in the title game. She had a double-double, adding 12 points on 6 of 13 shooting. The Montgomery native and Prattville Christian alum is a sophomore and put on a show to wrap her time with the Bucaneers.
Shelton State never gets in front
The Bucanners found themselves down 5-1 early in the game, setting the tone for rest of the contest. They hit a free throw, but the first made shot from the field came with 6:26 left in the first. Shelton State occasionally got the game close but found itself down 20-14 after the first quarter and down by 10 at the end of the third quarter, 48-38. NW Florida State led 34-28 at intermission.
Future could be bright for Shelton State
Being a junior college, Shelton State only gets athletes for two seasons before sending a few to four-year collegiate programs. Alana Obianozie is just a freshman and was the leading scorer for the Lady Bucs with 15 points, adding eight rebounds and four assists. Fellow freshman Janiyah Bone had nine points and five rebounds.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Shelton State women's basketball falls in NJCAA National ...
