By: Mackenzie Boos
Western’s women’s basketball team went 13-18 on the season after a Cinderella run this year, knocking off some top seeded teams and became the first No. 12 seed to ever win a MIAA quarterfinal game.
Getting to the semifinals game was no easy task for the team or Head Coach Rob Edmisson as the team was challenged with injuries.
While the team had an injury and an eligibility decreased roster, their energy kept up while they beat No. 5 Nebraska Kearney and No. 4 Central Oklahoma.
Cera Ledbetter, a senior forward, said the Nebraska Kearney game stood out to her the most because they were the underdogs.
“My favorite part of the season was the conference tournament when we took down the No. 5 team,” Ledbetter said. “No one expected us to advance.”
To knock down the No. 4 Central Oklahoma, Savannah Lentz pitched in from behind the arch and hit three shots herself. Lentz was the third leading scorer this season.
“Having our problems throughout the season, coach always told us that our hard work and determination would pay off in the end, which it did when we made a tournament run,” Lentz said. “We played hard and won the games we knew we could win, but no else thought we could.”
However, the Griffons couldn’t keep up with No. 9 Lindenwood in the semifinal game and ended their season losing 41-59.
Three members of the Griffons basketball team, Ledbetter, Dossou Ndiaye and Melia Richardson were named All-MIAA. Ledbetter averaged 7.7 points a game and 4.0 rebounds. Ndiaye averaged 9.2 points and 5.3 rebounds. Richardson averaged 11.3 points and added on a 2.4 rebound average.
Western was the first No. 12 seed that advanced to the conference semifinals. This was a second time appearing in the MIAA semifinals for Head Coach Edmisson.
With such a challenging season, there is nothing the team can’t overcome in the future.
