Champs! Storck’s late 3-pointer lifts Cal U to 75-72 win

By KEVIN JACOBSEN

For the Mon Valley Independent
March 29, 2004

ST. JOSEPH, MO – There’s nothing like a little drama in a national championship game.

Megan Storck’s 3-pointer with 28.6 seconds left in the ballgame game the California University of Pennsylvania Lady Vulcans their first ever national title – a 75-72 thriller over Drury (Mo.) University on Saturday in front of 2,681 people, a significant majority of whom were Drury faithful.

The Vulcans (35-1) held a lead as big as 15 points in the second half with 12:35 remaining, but the Panthers (36-2) came roaring back with a 19-2 run that gave them a 63-61 lead.

After that stretch, the biggest lead either team held was Cal U’s 67-63 margin, which Drury quickly erased by netting seven of the next nine points.

“We were playing the second best team in the country,” Cal U coach Darcie Vincent said. “I don’t think that run was a case of us letting up but them simply making plays and hitting shots. I don’t think they’ve ever trailed that late in a game, and I give them a lot of credit for coming back like they did.”

Drury took a 72-71 lead after Kara Rutledge hit two free throws with 44.9 seconds to play, then came Storck’s magical shot that gave Cal U the victory.

The play was reminiscent to last season, when Storck had a late 3-point attempt against Northern Kentucky, which she missed in a game Cal U lost by two points.

“Every player dreams of making the game-winning shot,” Storck said. “I didn’t want to feel like I did last year against Northern Kentucky.”

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