In a matchup of the nation's top three-point shooting teams, Morton College came out blazing and never let up in an 84-72 win over previously undefeated CCBC Essex at the NJCAA Division II women's basketball semifinals tonight at SC4 Fieldhouse in Port Huron, Michigan.

The Panthers (30-2) made 18 three-pointers in ending No. 3 seed CCBC Essex's 34-game win streak to advance to Morton College's first appearance in a national championship contest in any sport in school history. Whenever CCBC mounted a challenge, the Panthers answered with a clutch three-pointer time and time again.

Morton College shot lights out, shooting 40 percent from three-point range (18 of 45). All but one of Morton College's nine second-half baskets was a three-pointer. In addition, the Panthers held the nation's top three-point shooting squad to just nine threes and to 29 points below their 101.6 point-per-game average.

"Our defense was key," Morton College women's basketball coach Jason Nichols said. "When you play a team that scores 101 a night, it's key to get them down as much as we could. They were the No. 1 shooting team from three and we outshot them." 

Morton College carries a 26-game win streak into tomorrow's title clash against No. 1 seed Kirkwood (35-1) at 6:30 p.m. Kirkwood has seven national titles under its belt, while the Panthers are the first seventh-seed to reach the title game in 10 years since Lake Michigan's appearance in 2012. 

"It's incredible, but it doesn't get any easier," Nichols added. "Going from beating the No. 2 (Johnson County) and No. 3 seeds and now to get No. 1 Kirkwood. That's how challenging this tournament can be."

Dylan Van Fleet was up to the challenge. She was in the zone and could not be contained by the CCBC Essex defense.

Van Fleet connected on seven of 12 three-pointers and led the way with a game-high 23 points. She put on a dazzling display of shooting fireworks, scoring all of her field goals from beyond the arc. Van Fleet also became the fifth player in Morton College history to score 500 points in a single season. 

The game's star offensive performer had 20 points and was just 3 of 17 from three in the previous two games combined. She took advantage of several open looks coming off the 1-2-2 trap that CCBC Essex attempted to turn the Panther offense over.

"We had great ball movement and throughout the night, I relaxed, which allowed me to connect so many times," Van Fleet said. "We knew we had power and the drive and talent, but to be able to actually prove ourselves has made me so proud of our team."

In total, four Panthers reached double figures, including Mia Simpson's 14 points off the bench. Simpson came up clutch down the stretch, knocking down all eight of her free throws. 

"Practice and preparation have allowed me to succeed down the stretch of these game," Simpson said. "It feels amazing. This is what we wanted the whole season."

As a team, the Panthers were a perfect 16 of 16 (14 of 14 in the fourth quarter) from the free-throw line after finishing 12 of 14 against Union County in their first-round victory. The ability to produce in crunch time has been a skill the Panthers have used to their advantage in all three tournament games.

Like the Panthers did in their win over No. 2 Johnson County, Morton College built a big early lead. Morton College scored the game's first 12 points and never trailed although the Knights managed one tie at 19 early in the second quarter.

Morton College led by as many as 18 in the third quarter, but CCBC Essex wouldn't go quietly in the night. But Morton College's ability to knock down dagger after dagger was apparent throughout the victory.

Simpson and Gianine Boado combined for 22 points and nine rebounds off the bench. Boado (8 points) knocked down a few clutch corner threes and Simpson's ability to attack and finish at the basket dazzled the crowd at SC4 Fieldhouse.

Franchesca Metz has been an unstoppable force these past two games, scoring 18 points in each game. That included a combined seven triples and several tough boards on the backboard. Throw in her ability to take charges and turn the opposition over, and the Panthers have benefited from her recent solid play.

"I am overjoyed, we worked so hard to make it and be here with revenge from last season because we made it and weren't to compete," Metz said. "Credit goes to Coach Nichols who scouted for us. We knew they led the nation in made three-pointers and were No. 1 offensively, so we had a chip on our shoulder."

One of the unsung heroes has been guard Jovanna Martinucci, who knocked down a clutch three in the first quarter and played solid defensively.  

"It's crazy to be here, it doesn't feel real. We just played three really good teams and it's awesome to be where we're at," Martinucci said. "We put a lot of work into scouting and (coach) Jason (Nichols) has been helpful for every tournament game. We have been watching over what their players have done. We think about all they did as a great three-point shooting team to limit them."

Point guard Lyric Swann was dominating entering the national semifinal, averaging 21.4 points per game. She was held to 16 points on 6 of 16 shooting. The Panther defense put the clamps down all night overall, limiting the Knights to just 38 percent on 27 of 71 shooting.

Holding the Knights to only nine made three-pointers was another factor that allowed the Panthers to never lose their lead. Leading by double digits for a good chunk of the game, Morton College often relied on the scoring ability of superstar guard Tadriana Heard.

Heard, who finished with 21 points, tacked on five three-pointers to extend her NJCAA Division II leading made three-pointers to 127. Her ability to put the opposition on skates with her smooth shot-making often put a stop to momentum that CCBC Essex had at times.

Back-to-back threes by Heard and Boado late in the fourth quarter put an end to CCBC's final charge as the Panthers extend their lead to 74-60 with 2:24 left.

Leading the NJCAA Division II in defensive average has been Morton College's calling card all season. The Panthers' ability to run opponents off the line and contest all twos has given them an advantage that many teams do not possess.

Morton College also battled on the backboard by grabbing 15 offensive rebounds, which helped lead to scrambles and eventual open looks for Heard, Van Fleet and Metz. The trio combined for 59 points and  16 three-pointers. 

Throw in Simpson's 14 and the Panther quartet ended up posting 74 of their 84 points. The ability to play both ends of the floor with poise and balance put the Panthers in the national championship game tomorrow night.

"Words can not even explain," Heard said. "I'm pumped and ready to go. We as a team have always known that we have had what it takes on the defensive end."