FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech women's basketball team fell to Rochester University 69-66 in the WHAC Tournament Final in the Schaefer Center. The Warriors entered the court this Wednesday looking for a WHAC Double (Regular season and Tournament championship) but saw an energetic Rochester team leave with the trophy in their hands.
 
The night was perfect for Indiana Tech: a great environment at the Schaefer Center created by Indiana Tech's fans, the possibility of winning the double, and an inspired night from Kyra Whitaker suggested a happy end for the Warriors' fans. A very different end from the bitter taste that turned into reality.
 
In a game that was disputed point-by-point and reached halftime with Indiana Tech winning 34-30, Rochester was more efficient in the second half, getting the advantage on the scoreboard in the 4^th quarter, winning the period 20-12 and the trophy as well.
 
Whitaker, WHAC Player of the Year, honored the award she received last week and led Indiana Tech in the game. Showing up in the crucial moments, Whitaker finished the game with 22 points, 2 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 blocks, shooting 50% from the field and 85% from the free throw line.
 
Just as Indiana Tech had Whitaker, Rochester had Jacara Thompson. Thompson kept Rochester in the game in the toughest moments, scoring 22 points and grabbing 9 rebounds. Thompson was on fire between the 2nd and 3rd quarters, scoring 20 points and only missing 1 shot in this period.
 
Thompson counted on the help of Elysia Mattos and Imari Martin to bounce back after the Warriors built a 14-point lead in the 2^nd quarter. Mattos had 14 points and 4 steals, while Martin added 8 points, 6 of them in the last and decisive quarter.
 
After losing to Indiana Tech 69-45 only 19 days ago in the same Schaefer Center, the No. 3 seed, Rochester, showed up to the final with a better offensive arsenal that shocked Indiana Tech.
 
As the champions of the WHAC, Indiana Tech (Regular Season) and Rochester University (Tournament) will represent the conference in the NAIA Nationals.
 
Indiana Tech was selected to host the 1^st and 2^nd rounds of NAIA Nationals on March 7 and 8. The NAIA selection show is on March 2, when Indiana Tech will find out who is coming to Fort Wayne, and Rochester University will know who and where they will play in the NAIA Nationals First Round.