Upset Bid Slips Past CRC As Season Ends In Kansas

Upset Bid Slips Past CRC As Season Ends In Kansas- Wil Teague, Sports Information Director, 2-29-24

Crowley's Ridge- 73

College of the Ozarks- 77

Lawrence, Kansas- Crowley's Ridge Women's Basketball had history within their grasp in the opening round of the CAC tournament as the Lady Pioneers challenged the number one-seeded College of the Ozarks. In all of their meetings on the court, CRC has never been victorious over the Lady Bobcats and after an exciting contest that heavily favored the Pioneer upset, CofO would still somehow be the kryptonite for the Pioneers as the final minute of regulation sealed the fate and season for CRC.  

CofO entered today's contest 21-7 overall and saw their tournament life be in jeopardy for thirty-nine minutes as the eighth-seeded Lady Pioneers made the Ridge proud by leading the Lady Bobcats up until the last sixty seconds of the contest. CRC finally yielded the lead to CofO when the Bobcats banked in a shot off the glass with just fifty-five seconds to go. CRC got one last good look from behind the arc to try and tie the contest but after a trip around the rim, the shot would be no good, closing the curtain.

CRC led the Bobcats by dominating the first two quarters of the game with the sophomore duo of Reigiana Ward and Hunter Gibson combining for twenty-three points. With this push from the young Pioneers CRC entered the intermission with their biggest quarter lead of the game being thirteen points ahead of CofO, 43-30. After the short break from play, CofO made their big push in the fragile third quarter as the Bobcats outscored the Pioneers twenty-two to seventeen, cutting into their lead but CRC still managed to keep their high ground by entering the final quarter up eight points, 60-52. The Lady Pioneers fought valiantly in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter but CRC's Cinderella story would begin to come to an end near the 5:00 minute mark after CRC surrendered crucial rebounds to the Bobcats that gave the number one-seed second-chance points. 

Senior Travia Woodruff led the Pioneers in her final game as the Jonesboro, Arkansas native bucketed 17 points and dished out 6 assists. Reigiana Ward and Hunter Gibson finished with 15 points and 14 points. Freshman Jordan Rasmussen led the team in rebounds with 6 and added 5 points. 

Head Coach Chris Richardson commented:

"I'm so proud of our team today. They showed unbelievable heart and left it all on the floor. This team overcame a lot of adversity this season and they finished on a high note. The future is very bright for this program and I could not be more proud of them after their efforts tonight."

The Lady Pioneers wrap up their season by competing in their fourth consecutive Continental Athletic Conference Tournament. Women's basketball ends the 2023-24 season with a final record of 12-17. Until next year,  #GOPIONEERS