The OCU women’s basketball team ended their 2020-21 season in the Sooner Athletic Conference women’s basketball tournament semifinals.
The Stars did not advance to the SAC Tournament championship after losing to Wayland Baptist University (Texas) in a Feb. 26 game at Hutcherson Center in Plainview, Texas, with a final score of 88-63.
Wayland Baptist claimed the overall victory in the tournament, beating Langston University (Okla.) March 1 with a score of 71-63.
This year marks the first time OCU fell short of the championship game since 2014. The Stars won the championship in 12 previous seasons.
Selena McDonald, exercise science junior, said the game did not go as well as expected.
“We couldn’t seem to get any shots to go in during the first half,” McDonald said.
The Stars beat Southwestern Christian University (Okla.) 88-57 in their first game of the tournament, Feb. 23 at Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.
“Compared to how we played on Tuesday, it didn’t seem like it was the same team out there,” McDonald said.
McDonald said she is proud of how hard the team fought during the tournament.
“We kept fighting,’’ McDonald said. “It was really important to us that we didn’t roll over and give up.”
McDonald said the team’s practices were affected by COVID-19 guidelines.
“In preseason we could only have groups of three, so we were in there maybe 45 minutes with our coach,” McDonald said.
McDonald said the team’s goal is to accomplish more next season and advance to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics Women’s Basketball Championships.
“Our goal is to continue to build on the progress we made this year,” McDonald said.
Brett Tahah, head women’s basketball coach, said the team trained hard to prepare for the season, despite the obstacles.
“We did small group work and conditioning,” Tahah said. “We lifted weights three to four times a week, did speed and agility training, and sprints.”
McDonald said team bonding was also affected by COVID-19 protocols.
“We didn’t get to build team chemistry early on,” said McDonald. “We didn’t get to practice as a team until January, and our first game was Jan. 23.”
Tahah said the team grew closer during practices and games.
“Towards the end of the season, we were really becoming a team,” Tahah said. “We all really love and care about each other.”
Tahah said the team has many unique qualities.
“We have a lot of really good players,” Tahah said. “We also have a lot of people on the team that never quit, never give up, so I think that will take us a long way when we get back on the court next year.”
Tahah said she is proud of the team, despite the loss.
“With all the ups and downs, I’m really proud of how we competed and never quit,” Tahah said.
The Stars completed their season with a final record of 5-1 and ranked 23rd in the NAIA.
For more OCU Athletics updates, fans can visit the OCUSports website, and the MediaOCU sports page.
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