The Baker bench gets active during the NAIA championship on Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the Silverstein Eye Centers Arena in Independence, Mo.

Independence, Mo. ? One minute, you’re playing for a national championship and then all of sudden, everything comes crashing down.

Baker University’s joyride in the NAIA women’s national basketball tournament had it venturing to Tuesday night’s title game against MidAmerica Nazarene at Silverstein Eye Centers Arena.

After leading 25-21 at halftime, the Wildcats seemed to hit a wall coming out of the locker room at halftime, and MidAmerica Nazarene rode a 12-0 third-quarter run en route to a 49-35 victory for the national crown.

“We struggled in the third quarter,” Baker coach Ben Lister said. “I think we were 1-for-17 from the field and obviously, playing that caliber of a team, you’re not going to win.”

Baker (28-9), which established a single-season school record for victories, could never get untracked after intermission. The Wildcats scored only four points during the opening 15 minutes of the second half, a microcosm of their fortunes.

“We fought back and never gave up,” said Baker guard Jami Hodge of the Wildcats finishing only 24.6 percent from the field (15 for 61). “It was just one of those nights where our shots weren’t falling. It happens, and unfortunately, it was the national championship.

“We made it as far as we could go, so I’m just real proud of everyone, and I wouldn’t trade this team for anything in the world.”

Hodge and teammate Ericka Simpson, both from Spring Hill, were named to the all-tournament first team.

Tournament Most Valuable Player Kyleesha Weston scored a game-high 21 points for MidAmerica Nazarene (32-5), hitting six of 15 shots, including 2-for-4 on three-pointers and 7-for-8 at the free-throw line.

It was Weston’s three-pointer just before the halftime buzzer that pulled the Pioneers within 25-21. Then they seized command with their game-changing 12-0 run during the opening seven minutes of the third quarter for a 33-25 lead.

“I think we got a little tight when they made their run, and I thought we were a little passive shooting the basketball,” Lister said. “We just couldn’t hit any shots in the second half.”

Baker was scoreless the entire third quarter, until 28 seconds remained in the period, when post player Macy Wallisch scored a basket from underneath, pulling Baker within 33-27.

But Tristin Wicks scored at the buzzer for the Pioneers to end the quarter, giving them a 35-27 lead.

The Wildcats, who were outscored 14-8 in the final period, were led by Kelsey Larson and Wallisch with eight points apiece.

Both teams came out tighter than a drum at the start. Baker missed nine straight field goals after Hodge opened the scoring with a three from above the top of the arc.

In the meantime, the Pioneers missed 10 of their first 12 attempts from the floor in grabbing a 5-3 lead at the four-minute mark.

The Wildcats finally started getting in sync, getting a basket inside from Wallisch, a three from Larson, a bank shot from Wallisch and a Taylor Chase bucket just before the first-quarter buzzer for a 12-7 lead.

With their bench producing seven points, Baker, continuing a 9-0 run, extended its lead to 17-7 with 6 1/2 minutes left in the second quarter.

Megan Balcom ended the Pioneers’ drought with a trey at the 6:05 mark, closing the gap to 17-10, before Simpson answered with three on the other end for a 20-10 edge at the 4:27 mark.

The Pioneers then slashed their deficit to four points after Jasmine Webb hit three straight baskets and then Weston drained her three.

Weston had eight first-half points, as Baker limited the Pioneers to only 29.0 percent shooting in the opening 20 minutes (9 for 31).

Baker made 10 of 28 shots for 35.7 percent in the first half, including 5-for-11 on threes.

MidAmerica Nazarene 49, Baker 35

MIDAMERICA NAZARENE (32-5)

Jasmine Webb 5-13 0-0 11, Tristin Wicks 4-6 0-0 8, Megan Balcom 1-9 2-4 5 , Kyleesha Weston 6-15 4-7 21, Bailey Rinehart 0-3 0-0 0, Nathalie Felipe 0-3 0-0 0, Whitney Moia 2-4 0-0 4, Ashli Lykins 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 18-53 9-12 49.

BAKER (28-9)

Sydney Buchel 0-5 0-2 0, Kelsey Larson 3-11 0-1 8, Macy Wallisch 4-9 0-0 8, Jami Hodge 3-15 0-0 7, Ericka Simpson 2-16 0-0 4, Jessica Zweifel 0-0 0-0 0, Courtney Hoag 1-2 0-0 2, Taylor Chase 2-3 0-0 5, Mackenzie Cook 0-0 0-0 0. Totals 15-61 0-7 35.

MidAm 7 14 14 14 — 49

Baker 12 13 2 8 — 35

Three-point goals — Baker 5-20 (Larson 2-7, Chase 1-1, Hodge 1-7, Simpson 1-4, Buchel 0-1); MidAmerica 4-13 (Weston 2-4, Balcom 1-6, Webb 1-1, Rinehart 0-1, Felipe 0-1). Total fouls — Baker 15, MidAmerica 7. Fouled out — None. Rebounds — MidAmerica 47 (Webb 8, Wicks 7); Baker 35 (Wallisch 9, Buchel 6, Simpson 5, Hodge 4); Assists — Baker 9 (Buchel 2, Larson 2, Wallisch 2, Simpson 2, Chase 1); MidAmerica 5 ( Weston 2). Steals — Baker 8 (Hodge 3); MidAmerica 6 (Weston 2). Turnovers — MidAmerica 15, Baker 12. Blocked shots — MidAmerica 8 (Wicks 3, Moia 3); Baker 3 (Wallisch 1, Buchel 1, Larson 1).