Employing a stifling defense that took every opponent out of their comfort zone, impressive talent and ability, seasoned basketball savvy and know-how, and an unbridled desire to win, the #11-seeded Monroe Mustangs have won the 2011 NJCAA Women's Division II National Basketball Championship with a hard-fought 78-74 victory over to-seeded Pima CC (AZ). It's the third national title for the Monroe women and Coach Seth Goodman and their first since becoming a Division II program in 2009-10.

Sophomore guard Shanee Williams was named the tounament MVP, sophomore forward Jessica Previlon was named to the All-tourney team, and Coach Goodman was awarded the Lorene M. Ramsey Coach of the Tournament Award.

"All year we talked about the difference between being great and being special," said Coach Goodman. "These players have worked so hard and now they can say they are truly special. Years from now people will remember that the Monroe Mustangs, an 11-seed, became national champions."

Williams averaged 15.5 ppg in the tournament and Previlon averaged 13.0 ppg on a remarkable 23/34 (.677) shooting clip, and grabbed 10.8 rpg.

"A lot of people didn't expect us to win, they said we were cinderellas,"said a jubilant Williams after the game.  "I feel that we proved them all wrong.  We showed we can do it and now we're the champions."

In the game against Pima, Monroe led through the second half with Pima nipping at their heels.  But they never lost their compusure and did what they had to do to win.

Monroe finished the season with a 29-5 record.