DeNesha Stallworth scores 21 as Cal beats Miami 73-61 in WNIT championship game

Cal beats Miami 73-61 in WNIT championship game

BERKELEY, Calif. — DeNesha Stallworth scored 21 points and Alexis Gray-Lawson added 17 to lead California to a 73-61 victory Saturday over Miami in the WNIT championship game.

The WNIT title was the first for Cal (24-13), which finished second in 1987 in an eight-team field.

Gray-Lawson was selected the tournament MVP. Gennifer Brandon had 12 rebounds and nine points for the Bears.

Shenise Johnson scored 21 points and Riquna Williams added 20 for Miami (22-14).

Cal led 50-38 with under 12 minutes to play, with Stallworth scoring 10 quick points in the second half. Miami’s Johnson made a 3-pointer to cut the lead to 50-41, and her 3-point play made it 52-44.

The Bears countered with a 7-0 run, pushing their lead back to 15 points at 59-44 with 9:21 to play.

Gray-Lawson led all scorers with 11 first-half points, making 3 of 8 shots from the field but hitting 5 of 6 free throws. Stallworth had seven first-half points, while Brandon came off the bench to add seven rebounds and five points.

Miami shot just 26.5 percent from the field and missed all seven of its 3-pointers before the break.