CASPER, Wyo. - Northwest Florida State College captured the NJCAA Division I Women's Basketball National Championship on Tuesday evening, defeated Shelton (Ala.) State Community College, 62-53. 

The win gave the Raiders their third national championship in the last five seasons and continues a remarkable run of success for the FCSAA. Not counting the 2020 tournament, which was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the FCSAA has produced eight of the last ten national champions (Chipola, 2015; Gulf Coast State, 2016, 2017, 2019; Tallahassee State, 2018; Northwest Florida State, 2021, 2023, 2025). 

A little more than two weeks after falling to Chipola in the FCSAA Championship Game, Northwest Florida State rediscovered itself in Casper, rattling off four straight wins, capped by a defensive masterpiece in the finale. Shelton State shot just 30.7 percent (23-of-75) from the floor and was a mere 4-for-27 (14.8 percent) from three. 

Northwest Florida State led 20-14 after one quarter and maintained a six-point advantage at the half, 34-28. The lead reached double-digits (48-38) after three quarters and when Mekhia Chase nailed a three with 3:33 remaining, the Raiders led 56-44. Despite its game-long offensive woes, Shelton State managed to score nine unanswered points and trailed just 56-53 with 1:57 left. 

Shelton State didn't score again, however, and Northwest Florida State put the game away at the line, where Tournament MVP Nevaeh Scott went 6-for-6 to cap a 25-point effort. Chase and Deborah Davenport joined Scott on the All-Tournament Team, as did Chipola's Daniya McDonald. 

Northwest Florida State's Bart Walker was named Coach of the Tournament.