Women's basketball team defeats Moberly Area at national tournament

The Eastern Florida State College women's basketball team made history on Wednesday in Lubbock, Texas.

The Titans defeated Moberly Area Community College 69-54 in the first round of the NJCAA Division I National Championship Tournament at Rip Griffin Center.

The win was the first national tournament win in program history and was head coach MJ Baker's 100^th career win at Eastern Florida State College.

"To win it at the national tournament is unreal. God always finds a way to paint the perfect story in time," Eastern Florida State College head coach MJ Baker said. "I am really proud of the girls, it is a reflection of their work and dedication."

And it was a good first game for the Titans who led for the entire game after getting off to a fast start behind baskets from Shadaria Smith, Tatiana Beaumont and Rapuluchi Ngorka.

 The Titans would continue to play well, stretching it out to a 19-8 lead late in the first quarter and Beaumont continued to hit 3-pointers in the second quarter as the lead would reach as many as 13 points in the second quarter but a 7-0 run by Moberly Area CC to end the quarter to cut the lead to 33-27.

Moberly Area CC, who came in as the No. 15 seed, would cut the lead to five but the Titans would go on a 12-0 run in the third quarter and would head to the fourth quarter leading 53-37.

The lead would reach 19 points in the fourth quarter as the Titans picked up the win to improve to 27-4 on the season. 

Beaumont finished with a game-high 20 points, hitting five of her eight 3-pointers. The 20 points is a season high for the guard and ties her career best at EFSC.

"I really "My mindset was that I needed to score and help the team and just handle our business."

Teammate Ana Carolina De Jesus finished with her second double-double of the season, scoring 10 points and grabbing 11 rebounds. De Jesus was one of three players to grab at least 10 rebounds as Kaitlyn Sanders and L'or Eyeba Mputu each grabbed 10 rebounds. The Titans outrebounded Moberly Area CC 50-35 in the game. 

"I feel like our post players play for each other, we don't have any selfishness. We really just see who has the best matchups inside. All of us play for each other and it is just a really good team thing," De Jesus said.

The 18^th-seeded Titans advance to play No. 2 Shelton State at 7 p.m. EDT on Thursday. Shelton State had a bye in the first round as the No. 2 seed and come into the tournament with a 29-1 record.

Fans can watch the national tournament games live on the NJCAA Network for $10 per day or $30 for the tournament by visiting the NJCAA Digital Content website.