PEORIA, IL -- Each time the Schoolcraft College women's basketball team makes it to the national tournament, it gets closer to a championship. But an overpowering performance by a Kirkwood Community College (Iowa) team Saturday night prevented the Ocelots from bringing home their first title.

Kirkwood defeated Schoolcraft 62-38, giving the Eagles their third straight national title and fourth overall. This was Schoolcraft's second appearance in the national tournament, both under Head Coach Karen Lafata. In 2001 the Ocelots finished sixth.

Schoolcraft's Sophomore guard Brittany Collins (Detroit Renaissance) and freshman forward/center April Goins (Detroit Pershing) were both named to the all-tournament team.

The Ocelots dominated during the regular season, winning all of their Michigan Community College Athletic Association (MCCA) Eastern Conference games en route to a 28-2 record and a #2 national ranking. They won the MCCA's state tournament and the NJCAA Region 12-Division H tournament. Goins earned regional tournament MVP honors and sophomore forward Talyer Langham (Plymouth Salem) was named to the all-tournament team. Lafata was named regional Coach of the Year.

After earning a first-round bye in the national tournament, Schoolcraft defeated Louisburg College (North Carolina) 66-46 to advance to the final four. A 71-65 overtime win against Pima Community College (Arizona) sent the Ocelots to the national title game. The loss to Kirkwood brought Schoolcraft's final record to 32-3.

Illinois Central College hosted the tournament. Statistics are available through the college's Web site at www.icc.edu/njcaatournament/ 

Photos from all games are available for viewing and purchase at http://icc.mycapture.com/mycapture/index.asp

 Coverage from the Livonia Observer can be found at http://www.hometownlife.com/article/20090322/SPORTS/90322001/1054/NEWS10