Florida Atlantic 74, Gardner-Webb 63

3/11/2006 5:30 PM

DOTHAN, Ala. (AP) - Four years ago, Chancellor Dugan wondered if her Florida Atlantic players were as close as they would ever get to the NCAA women's tournament.

The Owls lost by one point to Georgia State in the final of the 2002 Atlantic Sun Conference tournament and watched their opponent celebrate.

On Saturday, Shontavia Williams scored 26 points to lead Florida Atlantic to a 74-63 victory over Gardner-Webb in the Atlantic Sun tournament championship game.

The win gave the Owls (20-10) their first trip to the NCAA tournament.

``It's been a long time coming,'' Dugan said. ``A very long time.''

Williams made four 3-pointers and had eight rebounds, several of which led to second-chance points.

``At first, my game was just drive, drive, drive,'' said Williams, a senior. ``I found out it's a lot easier when you can do both.''

Williams scored nine consecutive points during a 4-minute stretch early in the second half to help the Owls build their largest lead of the game at 51-36.

Gardner-Webb (14-16) made a late run behind Shameka Smith, who finished with 19 points, but the Bulldogs would get no closer than six points at 59-53 with 5:47 left on a 3-point play by Smith.

Bulldogs coach Rick Reeves used a football analogy to sum up his team's defeat.

``We like the West Coast offense,'' said Reeves, whose fourth-seeded Bulldogs upset top-seeded Belmont on Friday night to advance to the title game. ``We like to throw it around. Today, they made us play three yards and a cloud of dust.''

The second-seeded Owls built as much as a 10-point lead in the first half.

Amanda Bulin added 12 points and Missy Glaser 11 for the Owls. Brittany Harmon had 13 for the Bulldogs.