Oregon Women Top Aztecs in NIT Final

AMARILLO, Tex. —  Trina McCartney hit two free throws to put Oregon ahead for just the second time with 1:35 to play, and Stefanie Kasperski scored from underneath with 13 seconds left to finish off a 67-64 victory over top-seeded San Diego State Saturday in the final of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

After Kasperski’s basket, SDSU tried to set up for a final shot at three points but failed to score.

SDSU’s Chana Perry, who finished with just 10 points, was named the tournament’s most valuable player. Brooke Meadows, who led SDSU against Oregon with 20 points, was also selected to the all-tournament team, as were McCartney and Kasperski.

The score was tied, 34-34, at halftime, and SDSU didn’t trail in the second half until McCartney’s two free throws gave Oregon a 65-64 lead.

Perry, playing her last game for SDSU (25-9), collected 10 rebounds. Perry, who broke tournament records by making 14 of 14 free throws Friday against Murray State to give her 23 in a row over two games, did not go to the line against Oregon.

Julie Evans added 14 points for SDSU.

McCartney scored a game-high 23 points for Oregon (22-10), and Kasperski added 22. Oregon shot 57% from the field, SDSU shot 45%.

The Aztecs led by as many as nine in the first half, 16-7, before Oregon came back to take its first lead, 29-28, on a Kasperski layup 3:13 before halftime. Evans put the Aztecs back in front with a 15-footer with 2:40 left in the half.

SDSU’s biggest lead of the second half was eight, 54-46, after Perry connected on an inside shot with 10:14 to play.