Last summer, Whitney Ballinger made a decision to do everything in her power to take Campbellsville University to its first NAIA Division I Women's Basketball Fab Four. Saturday, she played her heart out, set records and wowed fans, but fell just short of her dream as Oklahoma City University outlasted Campbellsville, 86-77, in overtime at Oman Arena in Jackson, Tenn.

Ballinger gave CU its first points on a basic post move to tie the game, 2-2, just minutes after tipoff. Little did everyone know she would explode for a CU record 48 points to go along with 18 rebounds and seven blocks before the day was over. Ballinger's 48 points tied Jackie Prather's single-game scoring record set in 1990. In the first half, she scored her 780^th point of the season to break Andrea Deaton's 15-year record for most points in a single season at CU.

"Ever since I was little, there's just those days when things are falling. I can't tell you why," Ballinger said. "My teammates see it too. Without them, I'm just an average player."

Entering the game, Oklahoma City was looking for its 10th Fab Four appearance. The Stars were experienced and seasoned with Saturday play in the national tournament, while no current CU player had ever won a national tournament game prior to this year.

"I don't think that was a factor," CU head coach Ginger Colvin said. "I think it came down to who hit a couple of shots at the end of the game and who could hit their free throws."

Free throws was one of CU and Ballinger's weak spots Saturday, as Ballinger had seven of CU's 11 missed freebies and the rest of the team was 1-of-5 from the line. Oklahoma City was 21-of-25 from the charity stripe. Free throws and a 16-2 run lifted Oklahoma City past CU in overtime, as Ballinger had only one point in extra time and fouled out with 17 seconds left.

"It's a frustrating end to a magical year," Ballinger said. "It was all about heart. Everyone left it all on the floor ... As hard as it feels right now, I wouldn't trade this season for anything though."

Campbellsville spent most of the game rallying and maintaining, as Oklahoma City started out with a 7-2 lead before Ballinger and Kristi Ensminger combined for 10 unanswered points to give CU its first lead, 12-7. The Stars responded with a run that gave them a 39-31 halftime lead, but Ballinger kept CU in the game with 25 points and 10 rebounds at the break. Ensminger had the other six for CU.

Needing someone else to step up, Campbellsville got its answer one minute into the second half. Wendi Messer ended her two-game, 0-of-11, scoring drought with the Lady Tigers' first 3-pointer of the game to cut the lead down to 39-34.

Oklahoma City stretched its lead to double-figures, 46-36, with 17:20 left to play. Ballinger answered by scoring the next six for Campbellsville, but she was unable to single-handedly put away the Stars, as they stretched the score to their highest lead of the game, 54-43, with12:30 left.

That didn't sit well with Messer, who found her groove and hit back-to-back 3-pointers from Barbourville, Ky., to cut the lead back down to five. Ballinger chopped the lead down to three and brought the CU fans to their feet, 54-51, with 10:26 left. While the Stars tried to pull away again, Messer wouldn't let them, firing off another 3 to keep the game within a possession. A back-door, reverse lay-up by Megan Issacs pulled the Lady Tigers within a point, 57-56.

It took about two minutes, but the Lady Tigers finally regained the lead, 60-59, with six minutes left on a Ballinger layup. She extended it with a pair of free throws for her 40^th point of the game.

OCU worked the game even, 62-62, with 4:15, but Ballin' Ballinger maintained the lead with an old-fashion 3-point play.

Starr Fairbanks, who had 49 once this year for OCU, hit two free throws with 1:20 left to give OCU a 68-67 lead. Ballinger and Mackenzie Lee gave CU a 70-68 lead off free throws,  but the Stars forced overtime with three seconds left.

Oklahoma City had all five starters score in double figures. Fairbanks led the way with 17 points, while Holly Hardin recorded a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Walter and Duncan posted 14 points each and Cosby added 12.

Nation's Best Player Can Get Better

"I've been around a lot of basketball for a long time, and obviously, selfishly, I think she's the best player in the country, hands down," CU head coach Ginger Colvin said of Ballinger. "And she can still get better."

At season's end, Ballinger owns the CU single-game record for points (48), rebounds (28) and blocks (11). She also owns the single-season records for points (813), rebounds (422) and blocks (147). She posted more than 20 double-doubles and three triple-doubles, yet is unsatisfied with her overall game.

Following the game, she gave a promise to the Jackson media when asked about coming back next season.

"I'm going to work on getting better. I don't care if it's 6 or 7 in the morning, you can guarantee I'll be shooting free throws, and I'm going to hit them next year," she said.

Campbellsville's Best Season

Campbellsville's season comes to an end at 33-3. Over the course of the year, the Lady Tigers posted win streaks of seven and 24. They set the school record for regular season wins (29), wins in a season (33) and fewest losses (3), while becoming the first team to ever go unbeaten in Mid-South Conference play (14-0). Campbellsville will carry a 25 home win streak into next season.

'Is this the best season? Yes, by far, and I say that with a lot of pride," said Colvin, who has been a part of CU basketball since joining the program as a freshman guard in 1986.

Colvin also added that this is the closest CU has come to the Fab Four in its six quarterfinal appearances. Campbellsville is set to return 12 of its 14 players next season, as Kristi Ensminger and Shabree Hunter are the only seniors.

PHOTO GALLERY

Story by Chris Megginson

To view Richard RoBard's Road to Jackson diary and complete tournament coverage, click here.