Lady Pioneers Record-Setting Season Ended In Round 1-

Crowley's Ridge- 58

Arkansas Baptist- 65

Lady Pioneers Record-Setting Season Ended In Round 1- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 2-24-23

The Lady Pioneers headed back to the CAC tournament once more in a conquest to return to the National Tournament. The Lady Pioneers rematched the Lady Buffaloes of Arkansas Baptist, having just defeated them a week prior in 2 OT. Both teams have proven the be closely matched as CRC entered the tournament seeded 4th while ABC entered seeded 5th. In round 1, a do-or-die situation, it would be the Lady Buffaloes who would pull off the upset and get their revenge, ending the Pioneers' 6-game win streak and season with a 65-58 upset over CRC.

Lawrence, Kansas- Quarter one would turn out to be a slow stalemate as both teams countered each other on both sides of the ball. Lindsey Browning grabbed 4 rebounds this quarter. The CRC bench came ready to play as they produced half of the Pioneer points allowing them to enter quarter two up 10-7. In the second quarter, the lead would change 6 times between these two teams as each clawed their way for the lead. With just under 2 minutes before the break Hunter Gibson hit a jump shot giving CRC the lead for the 6th and final time, 22-19. With the clock winding down the Buffaloes nailed a three-ball making things even with 1:23 left in the half. No team would break the tie, and they entered the intermission tied a 22. Halfway into the third quarter Brinley Morgan sought to rally the troops as he did a week prior with a deep three at the shot clock buzzer retaking the lead 31-28. Though this time it didn't have the landslide effect on the Pioneers' offense, but on the Buffaloes as they answered with a 10-0 run jumping ahead of CRC. Travia Wooduff pieced together a layup, steal, and two free throws in the final 90 seconds cutting down the ABC lead to 8, 43-35. Now trailing as they entered the final quarter the Lady Pioneers relied on a familiar name, Lindsey Browning. Browning, who has been dealing with injuries, dealt out a crucial 12 points in the final chapter of her career. The Pioneer offense held nothing back as they rallied their best quarter of the matchup with 23 points. CRC saw themselves trail by as much as 11 with 7:00 left in the game, but with the heart of true Pioneers the team in green cut the score to a one-possession game, 59-57 with Woodruff sinking a free throw with just over 40 seconds left on the game clock. Even with all the blood, sweat, and tears left on the court, the magical, record-breaking season from the 2022-23 Lady Pioneers came to an end with the sound of the buzzer as they fell 65-58.

Leaders:

Lindsey Browning led the Pioneers in her final game with 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks. Travia Woodruff added 13 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists, and 4 steals. Brinley Morgan scored 10 points, 3 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.  

The 2023 Lady Pioneers finish with an 18-10 overall record and a 5-3 conference record setting the record for most wins in a season.