It determined the champion of the 1981–82 NCAA Division I women's basketball season and was contested by the Louisiana Tech Lady Techsters and the Cheyney State Wolves.
After winning the AIAW tournament championship the year prior, the Lady Techsters opened the season ranked No.
Early in the game, Cheyney State played multiple zone defenses to confuse Louisiana Tech.
In need of a spark, Louisiana Tech employed a full court man-to-man press defense and substituted Debra Rodman into the game.
The Lady Techsters regained the lead at 24–22 after a basket by Kim Mulkey and outscored Cheyney State 20–4 to close out the first half as Valerie Walker and Debra Walker had to sit with three fouls each.