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The 1982 NCAA Division I women's basketball championship game was the final game of the 1982 NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament. It determined the champion of the 1981–82 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters and the Cheyney State Wolves. The game was played on March 28, 1982, at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. No. 1 Louisiana Tech defeated No. 2 Cheyney State 76–62 to capture the inaugural NCAA national championship.

To date, Cheyney State is the only HBCU to reach the NCAA women's Final Four and play for an NCAA championship.

Participants

Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters

The Lady Techsters, represented the Louisiana Tech University in Ruston, Louisiana, were led by head coach Sonja Hogg in her 8th season at the school. After winning the AIAW tournament championship the year prior, the Lady Techsters opened the season ranked No. 1 in the AP poll, a spot they would not relinquish. The team won their first 20 games of the season and extended their overall win streak to 54 games before losing at No. 7 Old Dominion.

In the inaugural NCAA tournament, Louisiana Tech defeated Tennessee Tech, Arizona State, and Kentucky to reach the Final Four. They won 69–46 over Tennessee in the national semifinal to reach the national championship game.

Cheyney State Wolves

The Wolves, represented Cheyney State College, a Division II school in Cheyney, Pennsylvania, were led by head coach C. Vivian Stringer in her 11th season at the school. They began the season No. 7 in the AP Poll and moved up to the No. 2 spot where they stayed for the final five rankings of the season.

Cheyney State received an invitation to the NCAA tournament and defeated Auburn, NC State, and Kansas State to reach the Final Four. The Wolves defeated No. 3 Maryland, 76–66, to extend their winning streak to 23 games and set up the championship game matchup with Louisiana Tech.

Starting lineups

Game summary

Early in the game, Cheyney State played multiple zone defenses to confuse Louisiana Tech. The Wolves, who scored on 8 of their first 11 possessions, took a 16–8 lead after eight minutes. In need of a spark, Louisiana Tech employed a full court man-to-man press defense and substituted Debra Rodman into the game. The Lady Techsters regained the lead at 24–22 after a basket by Kim Mulkey and outscored Cheyney State 20–4 to close out the first half as Valerie Walker and Debra Walker had to sit with three fouls each.

Cheyney drew to within 8 points after a 16–10 run brought the score to 50–42 with 11:39 remaining. That's as close as the game would get down the stretch and Louisiana Tech took home the victory, 76–62.

Media coverage

The game was broadcast on CBS.

References

1. "La. Tech Women: No. 2 and Counting". The Washington Post. March 28, 1982. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
2. "Forty Years Ago an HBCU Played in the First Women's Final Four. Today the Program Is Gone". Sports Illustrated. March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 1, 2024.
3. "How the NCAA women's Final Four was born". The Washington Post. March 31, 2022. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
4. "Louisiana Tech Streak Ends". The New York Times. January 30, 1982. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
5. "Nos. 1 and 2 Reach Women's Final 4". The New York Times. March 21, 1982. Retrieved April 7, 2024.
6. "Cheyney State Outruns Terrapins in Semifinal". The New York Times. March 27, 1982. Retrieved April 7, 2024.

• 1981–82 NCAA Division I women's basketball season
• NCAA Division I women's basketball championship games
• College basketball tournaments in Virginia
• 1982 in sports in Virginia
• March 1982 sports events in the United States
• Women's sports in Virginia
• Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters basketball
• Cheyney Wolves women's basketball