DENVER – University is now the proud owner of a girls basketball state championship.

At the Denver Coliseum on Saturday morning, the top-seeded Bulldogs won 42-35 over No. 6 Delta in a matchup of two teams that were both seeking their respective schools’ first-ever girls basketball titles. After finishing runner-up in 2022 while playing in Class 3A and also reaching the 2A state title game in 1985, the Bulldogs finally captured that elusive title.

“Right now, it's surreal. I’m trying to soak it all in,” Bulldogs senior Addison Harding said. “I’ve been waiting for this since freshman year, so it’s really cool to finally get it. I’m kind of in shock right now, but I can’t wait to celebrate with all of my best friends.”

Delta (21-7) led 7-5 after the first quarter and 20-17 at halftime. University (28-0), however, took control of the game in the second half to cap an undefeated season.

“(Coach told us) just to have fun and play our game and worry about us and control the controllables,” Harding said. “I think we came out and did that.”

University outscored Delta, 15-11, in the third quarter and led 32-31 to start the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs then outscored Delta, 10-4, to pull away in the final quarter.

University also eliminated Delta, which entered Saturday’s title game on a 16-game win streak, in last year’s Sweet 16.

Harding (11.0 ppg) led all scorers with 16 points. University senior Janay Kravig (11.5 ppg) scored 11 points and junior Maddie McNair added eight for the Bulldogs.

Senior Breezy Huff (10.04ppg) led Delta with 11 points. Fellow senior Taylor Somers (12.9 ppg) scored 10 and Paige Kehmeier scored six.

To reach the championship game, University won 53-45 over No. 4 Holy Family. In the opposite semifinal, Delta won 56-46 over No. 2 Timnath.

Eads is the all-time leader with nine girls basketball state championships.