On Saturday, Jan. 9, head women’s basketball coach Tim Kirby won his 200th game with the Lady Bisons in overtime against Southeastern Oklahoma University. Following a hard loss to East Central University (ECU) on Jan. 7, the win began a 3-1 streak that would make the team 7-2 in the Great American Conference (GAC).
Junior guard Andi Haney led the team to victory, scoring a career high 30 points. In overtime, three players scored 20 points to bring in the 103-95 win.
“I was really proud of the way we battled,” Kirby said. “It was very positive for our team mentality. We’ve got to be able to handle adversity.”
Following the initial triumph, the Lady Bisons went on to defeat the University of Arkansas at Monticello (UAM) in the Rhodes-Reaves Fieldhouse on Thursday, Jan. 14. Junior forward Mackenzie McNamara led the team by scoring 15 points, securing the 82-50 victory. The team continued its streak on Saturday, Jan. 16, at home against Ouachita Baptist University (OUA), winning 71-53.
Arkansas Tech University (ATU) finally slashed the three-game winning streak on Monday, Jan. 18, saddling the Lady Bisons with a 80-52 loss. However, the team is staying positive. According to Kirby, after losing freshman center Sydnie Jones and junior forward Corey Moyer to injury over winter break, with nine eligible players, the team’s main goal is to get a little better every day. Haney agreed, adding that the team is working towards cohesiveness.
“We are focusing on togetherness — being together and playing as a unit, not individually,” Haney said.
Despite an injury keeping her from playing this season, Moyer is helping with this team vision of unity. Moyer said she hopes to do her part by cheering from the bench and being a source of encouragement for her teammates.
The Lady Bisons play tomorrow against Henderson State University at 5:30 p.m. in the Rhodes-Reaves Fieldhouse and will then travel to Magnolia, Arkansas on Monday to play their rescheduled game against Southern Arkansas University.
