Tulsa women’s season ends with WNIT loss to Lindenwood

ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The Tulsa women’s basketball team fought until the very end, but the might of the 22-10 Lindenwood Lions was too much to overcome, falling 76-60 on March 20 in the first round of the Women’s National Invitation Tournament (WNIT) at Hyland Arena.

The Golden Hurricane ended their season with a 17-15 overall record with wins in five of their last seven games.

Tulsa started the game with a 5-0 lead that was quickly snuffed out by the Lions’ 16-0 scoring run. Lindenwood maintained a comfortable advantage for the rest of the contest, leading by as many as 24 points in the first half and 26 points late in the second half before securing the 16-point win.

The ball just couldn’t find the net for Tulsa as the Hurricane finished 35.2 percent (19-of-54) from the field and 18.5 percent (5-of-27) from beyond the arc compared to Lindenwood who shot 43.5 percent (27-of-62) and 42.9 percent (9-of-21) from downtown. TU also gave up 18 turnovers on the night, five more than the Lions.

Four Hurricane ended the season with double-figure scoring with senior Kristol Ayson and red-shirt junior Paige Bradley leading the way with 13 points apiece. Sophomores Mady Cartwright (12 points) and Jade Clack (11 points) rounded out the contingent. Ayson also coordinated the offense with four assists.

On defense, junior Hadley Periman logged team-highs of nine rebounds and two blocks, while Bradley finished with three steals.

Five Lindenwood players contributed double-figure points in the Lions’ win Brooke Coffey leading the team with 13 points. A sixth Lion finished with just a point shy of double-digits as Lindenwood would run away with their first postseason win.