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Despite finishing with only four players, the RHEMA Lady Eagles won the 2010 ACCA National Championship with a thrilling 83-82 overtime victory Saturday night, March 6. The win, over Southwestern Christian University, marked the second ACCA title for the Lady Eagles in the last six years and the fifth overall title in 13 years.

On paper, the deck appeared to be stacked against RHEMA from the tipoff. The Lady Eagles suited up only six players, while two-time defending ACCA champion SCU boasted a lineup of 12. SCU was being led by the ACCA player of the year, riding a six-game winning streak, and playing in their home gym. But the game isn’t decided on paper. It’s decided on the court.

RHEMA and SCU entered overtime with the scored tied 77-77. The Lady Eagles started the extra period with only five available players. Heidi Couturier had fouled out with 7:28 left in regulation play. And of the remaining players, starting forward Hannah Daniel had four fouls. After winning the tip, RHEMA’s freshman forward Hannah Brim drove to the lane and rolled in a layup to put the Lady Eagles up two.

SCU answered with a basket in the post to knot the score at 79. With 4:13 remaining, Daniel sank two free throws, and on the ensuing trip down the court, she stole a pass to give the Lady Eagles possession of the ball and a two-point lead. On that possession, RHEMA’s Shannon Hogan corralled a loose ball near the lane and hit a jumper to put the Lady Eagles up 83-79 with 3:29 left in the game.

Following an SCU free throw and a jump shot from the elbow, the Lady Eagles were clinging to a one-point lead with less than a minute remaining. After RHEMA missed a jumper, SCU grabbed the rebound and drove the ball down the court where Daniel committed her fifth foul with 14.2 seconds on the clock, leaving the Lady Eagles with only four players.

SCU’s guard missed both free throws and sophomore guard Kayna Daniel grabbed the rebound and was fouled with 11.8 seconds left. She was unable to convert on her shots from the charity stripe and SCU controlled the rebound. SCU raced up the court but lost control of the ball. Players from both teams dove onto the floor, and RHEMA’s Jessica Davis deflected the ball to midcourt. By the time an SCU player was able to retrieve the ball, time expired and the Lady Eagles were national champions.

“This is always something you wanted, but it was hard to picture,” said Kayna Daniel. “We only have six girls, and [SCU] won the championship the last two years. To take it in overtime is unbelievable. This year everyone came in willing to be teachable and we worked together as a team. We made up for a lack of talent in some areas with pure heart.”

ACCA Tournament MVP Kayna Daniel poured in a season-high 30 points, grabbed five rebounds, and dished out five assists. She shot 45 percent (9-for-20) for the game, including 50 percent (7-for-14) from three-point range. Hannah Daniel finished with 22 points on 58 percent shooting (7-for-12) and six rebounds. Hannah Brim, who was named to the all-tournament team, ended the game with 17 points on 55 percent shooting (6-for-11) and five rebounds.

“My hat goes off to the girls,” said Lady Eagles Coach Olivia DiCamilli. “They never gave up. They worked so hard. Every obstacle that could have come against us did, but the girls always prevailed.”

Because of her teammates’ foul trouble, Hogan played more minutes in the championship game than she did in any other game this season. In 28 minutes she scored five points, grabbed two rebounds, and played solid defense. Davis took only two shots during the game (making one), but she dished out five assists and was all over the court, forcing turnovers and creating defensive pressure. Her court time limited by foul trouble, Couturier scored six points (2-for-2 from the floor and 2-for-3 from the line) and grabbed two rebounds.

“I have six players who bought into the team concept,” DiCamilli said. “Every girl knows what her role is. If she is a rebounder, she rebounds. If she is a scorer, she scores. If she is a defender, she defends. That was a major key to our success this year.”

For the tournament, Kayna Daniel averaged 20.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 3.7 assists; Hannah Daniel averaged 19.7 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists; and Hannah Brim averaged 19.3 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists.