Eboni Sadler scored 17 points and had a late steal and two free throws to help seal Azusa Pacific's 65-59 victory Tuesday night against Union University in the women's NAIA Division I championship game.
Union (35-2) was on its homecourt playing for its third consecutive national title, but Azusa Pacific (33-5) won the rematch of last season's championship game.
''This is especially big after coming so close last year,'' Azusa coach T.J. Hardeman said. ''We got to take the second-place trophy home last year, and taking home the championship trophy feels better.''
Alex Moore-Porter scored 17 points for Azusa Pacific from southern California.
''I doubt Union's played in as many close games as we have this season,'' Hardeman said. ''I think our experience really helped out toward the end when we got the lead.''
Zeinab Chan had 21 points and 13 rebounds for Union, and Kayla Hudson scored 17 for the Lady Bulldogs from Tennessee.
''At halftime, we said, 'We played terrible in the first half, but we're only down by five,''' Hardeman said. ''So we just went out and played a better game and settled down.''
With the game tied in the final two minutes, Briana Hall picked up a steal and gave Azusa the lead on a fast-break layup with 1:04 remaining.
Azusa's Alex Moore-Porter hit a pair of free throws to put the Lady Cougars up by four with 51 second remaining.
Chan cut the lead in half when she hit a layup for Union.
Union had a chance to tie after an Azusa turnover, but a missed shot. Hall was fouled and made two more free throws.
Sadler stole the ball from Union's Lavanda Ross and was fouled with 5 seconds left. She made both free throws to wrap up the Cougars' first NAIA championship.
