Posted: Mar 20, 2024
Women's Basketball Season Ends in National Tourney
The SMC Women's Basketball Team earned a W in their last game of the season as their amazing run ended Wednesday at the NJCAA Division II National Championship in Joplin, Missouri.
The Roadrunners lost Monday in Round 1 of the tournament to #17 North Central Missouri, 79-63, but followed up with a win in their consolation game over the #20 Coastal Alabama North Coyotes, 52-51.
The final game of the season was tight the whole way. SMC was down a point after Q1, up 4 at half and at the end of Q3, but fell behind by a point with 7 seconds left. SMC was able to get the ball down the court quickly and draw a foul with just 3.8 ticks remaining. After a timeout, sophomore Cameron Thomas sank both free throws and the Coyotes turned the ball over on their last inbounds pass to let the Roadrunners escape.
SMC was led by sophomore Macey Laubach with 18 points, Thomas had 11 and freshman Amara Palmer added 7.
The Green and Gold finish their amazing 2023-24 campaign with a record of 27-5, as MCCAA Western Conference and Great Lakes District Champions, and fiercely defending home court by going 15-1 in the 1st Source Bank Fieldhouse, with the only loss by just one point.
CONGRATULATIONS to the team and THANK YOU to the sophomores as they complete their degrees and move on as SMC alumni!