By SCOTT NOVAK
Niles Daily Star

The Lake Michigan College women’s basketball team is headed to Peoria, Ill. to compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division II National Championship Tournament.

The Indians (25-5) earned their way to the national title tournament by winning the Region XII District G Tournament with a 53-36 victory over Grand Rapids Community College.

Tyecia Warren, who was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player, scored a game-high 20 points to lead LMC.

Former Niles standout Kaleigh Hill had eight rebounds and scored a basket for the Indians, while former Dowagiac All-Stater Katy Stuppy, a second team All-Western Conference performer, finished with nine points, three assists and a block.

Lake Michigan College advanced to the Regional final by defeating Muskegon Community College 104-55 in the quarterfinals and Edison Community College in the semifinal 79-75 in overtime.

Hill had 10 rebounds and eight points in the semifinals, while Stuppy had 16 points, six rebounds and four assists.

In the quarterfinals, Hill finished with nine rebounds and 13 points, while Stuppy led the team with 16 points.

Stuppy was named to the All-Tournament team along with Warren, while LMC’s Jason Cooper was named Coach of the Year.

The Indians tied with Grand Rapids for the Michigan Community College Athletic Association’s Western Conference title after both teams went 15-1.

Schoolcraft, which will also compete in the national tournament after winning the District H championship, was the MCCAA overall champion, the school’s third consecutive title and fourth in the last six seasons.

Lake Michigan will open up tournament play at Illinois Central Community College on Wednesday, March 17 against Illinois Valley Community College at noon.

The winner advances to Thursday’s quarterfinal game against Kirkwood.

The Division II National Championship Tournament runs through Saturday, March 20.