NC H1143

Shaw University women's basketball team won the 2012 NCAA Division II championship on March 23, 2012, defeating Ashland University 88-82, marking the program's first Division II NCAA title.

The Lady Bears finished the 2011-2012 season with a record of 29-6, were ranked No. 1 by USA Today/ESPN coaches' poll, and won the CIAA tournament championship with a 15-1 conference record.

Head Coach Jacques Curtis, in his 12th season, compiled a 264-113 record and achieved his 250th NCAA win during the 2012 season, holding the record for most CIAA championships by a member school.

Individual players recognized include Aslea Williams (CIAA tournament MVP and Atlantic Region MVP), Kyria Buford (CIAA Defensive Player of the Year and NCAA Elite Eight all-tournament team), and Sequoyah Griffin (All-CIAA and NCAA Elite Eight all-tournament teams).

The House honors the memory of Dr. James E. Lytle, a 1925 Shaw graduate who served as baseball coach, athletics director, and professor for nearly 50 years.