Our SNU women’s basketball team is on a dominant run and looking to finish strong with the help of all of our students. With another win this past Saturday, our ladies advance to 15-4 on the season, including an 8-0 record at home. The women have also now won 14 out of their last 15 games, as they prevailed against Southern Arkansas with a score of 75-74. This game further proved their dominance, especially when playing in front of a home crowd at Sawyer Center.
With only four home games left, fan attendance is more important than ever. The Great American Conference, or GAC, championships start on March 2nd. Seeding for the tournament can be pivotal in how far teams make it throughout.
When asked about how the team plans to keep their momentum through the rest of the season, Hannah Giddey, a forward for the team, mentions that the team “plans to work hard on and off the court like we have been doing, while being constantly reminded to never get complacent.” Giddey adds that, “Even though we are at the top right now, we can’t afford to rest.” With this, she added her thoughts on a packed-out arena by saying, “I think it plays a massive role in the success. The home crowds bring a great atmosphere that we love to play in. It helps energize the team and creates a sense of belonging for our team.”
Averaging 10.4 points per game (PPG), 7.2 rebounds per game (RPG), and 3.5 assists per game (APG), Giddey has helped lead the team to success and has proven her dominance on the defensive end, ranking second in all D2 schools with 2.7 blocks per gam.
Kimalee Cook, a young and rising point guard for the team, mentions that the team’s competitive spirit has been a major key in their success up to this point, but also credits the student section for added fuel. Cook states, “When we come out of the tunnel at the beginning of the game and see our own students in the crowd supporting us, it just adds to the energy of the game. This makes playing at home more fun, knowing we’ll have the students support”.
Although the basketball team continues to show its command in the GAC, it is important for the student body to help in any way possible. Our basketball teams have proven to benefit from the SNU student body showing up and showing out. From the energetic environment to the interactive halftime shows, heading over to Sawyer Center and supporting our basketball team is a perfect way to spend an evening.
The next home game will be played on Thursday, February 9th against Harding (15-5) and will be followed by another one against Arkansas Tech (11-6) just two days later. Support your fellow athletes and help them to finish off their 2022-2023 season strong with a GAC championship!!
Photo by Kylie Osullivan on Unsplash