Point Lookout, Mo. ? Shanda Murdock’s 27 points weren’t enough to prevent Haskell Indian Nations University from falling to College of the Ozarks, 84-66, on Saturday in the finals of the MCAC women’s basketball tournament.

“We caught them on a good night for them,” Haskell coach Phil Homeratha said. “We had hopes. To go to the national tournament, we had to beat them. They’re legitimate.”

College of the Ozarks (28-2) built a 48-31 halftime lead and never looked back.

“We had five turnovers in a row (in the first half), and we never recovered,” Homeratha said.

Haskell also received nine points from Melissa Haag and seven points apiece from Amber Tecumseh, Kortney Smith and Shara Brown.

The Fightin’ Indians concluded their season 15-17.

“It was a good finish for us,” Homeratha said. “We’re disappointed. The biggest thing was we had a chance. Just getting here was a big job. You always want to go on, but sometimes things just don’t work out like that.”