AP photo / Mia Malafronte
Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell welcomes the Division II women's champions on Sunday as they return to New Haven after Saturday's championship game in Kearney, Neb.

La Salle graduate Katie Lynch scored 14 points and pulled down a game-high 10 rebounds on Saturday as the Southern Connecticut State Owls defeated Florida Gulf Coast, 61-45, for the NCAA Division II women's basketball championship. Lynch, a former Journal All-State selection, is a junior forward on the Southern Connecticut State team, which finished the season with a 34-2 record.