USAO 96, Oklahoma Baptist 79

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Theron Jackson asked his coaches to let him guard NAIA scoring leader DuJuan Brown in the national championship game. <br><br>They let him, and it paid off for the University of

Wednesday, March 20th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) _ Theron Jackson asked his coaches to let him guard NAIA scoring leader DuJuan Brown in the national championship game.

They let him, and it paid off for the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.

Brown, who had averaged 29.3 points in the national tournament, was limited to 19 as the Drovers beat Oklahoma Baptist 96-79 to win their first NAIA Division I title. Brown was just 4-of-16 from the field.

``The answer to stopping DuJuan is putting Theron Jackson on him,'' USAO coach Brisco McPherson said. ``He begged us to let him guard DeJuan. He met the challenge tonight.''

Jackson guarded Brown at times during the two regular-season meetings, both of which OBU won.

``I noticed that he gets frustrated if he doesn't get the ball,'' Jackson said. ``He gets frustrated and rushes his shot. I knew I was quicker. I just tried to stay in front of him.''

Michael Williamson led USAO with 22 points and was named the tournament's MVP.

Hayden Herrin added 20 points for the Drovers (24-7), who lost to Faulkner, Ala., in the championship game last season.

David Williams led Oklahoma Baptist (32-5) with 20 points.

The two regular season meetings may have helped the Drovers, especially the 108-68 win Feb. 2 at Oklahoma Baptist.

``They had more of a reason to be ready tonight,'' Bison coach Doug Tolin said. ``They had the advantage of the last time we played them and they had the advantage of playing in this game last year.''

The Drovers did remember losing in 2001.

``We knew how it felt last year,'' Williamson said. ``We said five minutes after last year's game that if we had the chance this year, we wouldn't let it slip away.''

USAO was content to let the Bison have the Sooner Athletic Conference title.

``They won our conference championship, but that's OK,'' Williamson said. ``We took the national title.''