Lady 'Neer record-breaking season ends in Iowa

February 26, 2022

by Dustin Semore, Sports Information Director

MT. PLEASANT, Iowa – Crowley's Ridge College saw a season in which five different single-season team records were eclipsed come to an early conclusion, falling to the Haskell Indian Nations (Kan.) University Fightin' Indians 79-54 in the semifinals of the 2021-22 Continental Athletic Conference tournament.

Falling twice to the Fightin' Indians during the regular season, the Lady Pioneers (15-14, 5-6 CAC) hoped the third time would be the charm with a trip to the 2022 NAIA Women's Basketball National Tournament on the line. The first quarter showed that desire, with the girls in green holding Haskell to a 6-20 mark from the floor in the opening ten minutes. Meanwhile, all five Lady 'Neer starters put their names in the scorebook, with the first quarter ending in a draw 14-14.

The thing about putting up a plethora of shots: they eventually start falling. Haskell (14-12, 9-2 CAC) attempted 40 shots in the first half, with the points beginning to rack up in the second quarter. The Fightin' Indians scored 21 points in the quarter, sending the teams to the intermission with HINU ahead 35-27.

Uncharacteristically, the Lady Pioneers came out of the break flat offensively, with Travia Woodruff and Madison Sellars being the only Lady Pioneers to hit more than one shot in the quarter. On the other end of the floor, HINU found their stroke from deep, going 5-10 from long range to lead to a 58-41 lead.

Woodruff forced a late push by the Lady Pioneers, dropping a 3-pointer at the start of the final quarter, three of her 11 fourth-quarter points. The Lady 'Neers would put up a game-high 18 points in the final frame, but the early lead by the Fightin' Indians was too much to overcome, with CRC falling 79-54.

Haskell was 28-70 from the floor and 11-29 from long range. Crowley's Ridge connected for 22 of its 55 attempts from the field, going 7-19 from the 3-point line.

Lindsey Browning ended her freshman season with a double-double, scoring 11 points to compliment her 10 rebounds. Woodruff again led the girls in green in scoring with 26 points, with Sellars bucketing 11.

Crowley's Ridge ends the year with much to look forward to, breaking five single-season team records with a squad of all underclassmen:

Most wins: 15

Best overall record: 15-14 (.517)

Highest FG%: 37.9

Highest FT%: 68.7

Steals: 330