I wish I could say my teams went 2-for-2 in their final four battles tonight. Unfortunately, this was not the year for a double champion at Northwestern. 2001 lives as a wonderful memory and the men won again in 2003 so now, in 2008, it is time for the NW women to claim their championship.

Yes, the Red Raider women beat Morningside tonight. And no, it was not the same nail-biting, sitting on the edge of your seat, close your eyes and hope the shot goes in story of the men's game.

No, the women dominated the Mustangs, shutting them down and winning 93-69. The first half made all the difference, as the Raiders shot 50 percent from the field, including 57 percent from three-point range and a perfect 100 percent at the charity stripe. In the whole game, NW shot 57.4 percent from the field, 60 percent from 3-point range and 80 percent from the field. The Mustangs struggled, shooting 34 percent from the field, including a mere 22 percent from 3-point range and hit 57 percent of their free throws. The Raiders led 44-26 at the half. The Mustangs battled back in the second half, but could not shut down Coach Woudstra's Raiders. The second half score was 49-43, NW, much closer and more similar to scores these two teams have recorded in their previous match-ups this season. But NW continued their dominance of the national tourney...and await their final game.

I guess that's the thought I really wanted to get to tonight. The final game. Tournament time is a crazy one, and particularly emotional for seniors. The whole way through, you could potentially be playing in your last game. But once you make it to the championship game, you know before you even step onto the court that this is your last game. Whether you are a senior in high school taking your final step onto the floor at Wells Fargo in Des Moines or a senior at NW--Deb, Amy, Miranda, Crystal, Mandy--playing your final game at Tyson, a place filled with memories of four years of college basketball. I think that knowing it was your last game would be a much different emotion than wondering if it might be your last game.

But then think of your accomplishments.

This is it--the championship. You made it to the big dance, and boy, did you put on a show. Now it is time for the finale...and I'm hoping for a grand one.