 Monica Springer/Collegian photographer
Kara Beal, senior guard, makes the pass to a teammate after being closely guarded by a Davenport defender. The women were defeated by Davenport 76-66 in the first round of the NAIA national tournament on March 12 in Sioux City, Iowa. The 10-point loss was the closest game of the first round. [Click to enlarge]
|
|
 Tee Gray, junior guard, sets a screen for Cortney Gandy, senior forward, as Gandy looks to cut to the basket against Davenport. [Click to enlarge]
|
|
There are few similarities in being a freshman and senior. In your few years in college you change a lot about yourself.
For the Southwestern Moundbuilder women's basketball team there were plenty of similarities for freshmen and seniors, and everyone in-between, on their trip to nationals.
The team's trip to Sioux City, Iowa, for then National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics National Tournament was its first since 2004.
The team was defeated 76-66 by Davenport University Wednesday March 12.
The game tipped off the tournament with an 8:30 a.m. start.
Davenport was a team known for its shooting abilities. The women didn't see many surprises from them.
Tee Gray, junior guard, said, "Everything they did we pretty much expected. They just accomplished what they needed to do. We were told they were a shooting team. At halftime they were 7-13 from the 3-point line. There's not a lot you can do about good shooting."
That shooting continued for Davenport as they finished 10-19 on 3-point field goals.
The lack of experience in the tournament might have held the women from a second round birth. Davenport was on the other side of the coin, having visited the tournament each of the last three seasons.
The Moundbuilders started slow as the hot shooting Panthers stormed out to a 21-4 point lead seven minutes into the game and had to play from behind the rest of the way.
Cortney Gandy, senior forward, said, "The first ten minutes really got us. After that we all started playing hard. I think we were just nervous at the beginning. They have experience in this tournament, and that really showed in the first few minutes."
The women were led in scoring by senior forward Jenna Wilson and freshman forward Tylar Hartfield who scored 17 points each.
Thirty two teams make it to the national tournament, unfortunately 31 of those teams end the season on a loss. It leaves the team with a bittersweet feeling. Following the game, the 'sweet' part hadn't sunk in yet.
Gandy said, "We understand that we had a good season, but we would have liked to go further. We aren't upset about the season just the final game."
Gray said, "For the seniors it was hard because it was their last game. It's the last thing you get to do with this team. We went to nationals though, and we ended the season well. We worked hard to get here and were happy for this game."
Dave Denly, head women's basketball coach, felt this was the stage the seniors needed to end their careers on. He said, "I was very proud of the girls. This is a very special group. It's very fitting that the seniors end their career on this floor on this atmosphere and stage. This is what we are trying to do."
With the season in the books and a 23-9 record the women have a lot to be proud of, even if the sting of the loss is still fresh.
Those involved with the women's basketball team don't expect this to be a rare opportunity on the national stage.
Denly said, "We've got a great nucleus coming back. With recruiting and bringing in new players this is where we want to be. It's not about if, it's when we get back here next year what we are going to do when we get here."
Anthony Cook is a junior majoring in communication. You may e-mail him at anthony.cook@sckans.edu.
2008 Woodie Awards
Be the first to comment on this story