Griffon women to head south for NCAA Tournament
By Jacob Meikel
Missouri Western women’s basketball returns to the Big Dance as the No. 2 seed in the Central Region and will play Minnesota State this Friday in Bethany, Oklahoma.
The Griffs learned of their seeding on Sunday night and erupted in cheers inside the Hall of Fame Room at Western during the NCAA Division II Selection Show. The Griffons will return to the tournament after missing out in 2023.
“I think one through eight, everybody is good enough to beat anyone, so it’s going to be a great region,” Western head coach Candi Whitaker said.
Western earns a bid roughly two years removed from its last NCAA Tournament appearance, when they made it all the way to the Elite Eight. Several players currently on the roster were a part of the team and played meaningful minutes when the Griffons made their improbable run. Senior Connie Clarke was one of those players, and mentions that not making the tournament last year as a type of fuel heading into this tournament.
“I feel like it was a chip on our shoulder,” Clarke said. “This should be something to hype us up, and just have confidence going into the next game.”
Post-Christmas break showed a rejuvenated Griffon women’s team. The Griffs began their hot streak when it broke the MIAA single-game scoring record against Kansas Christian on Dec. 30. They would go on to win 16 of their final 17 games of the regular season, and even though they would lose in the semifinal round of the MIAA Tournament, they get extra time to prepare for the Mavericks in the first round of the regional tournament.
“I think we’re in a very good spot right now. Obviously, I know nothing about Minnesota State, but I mean, ain’t nothing that we’re not ready for,” senior Brionna Budgetts said.
This tournament adds a little extra incentive for Missouri Western, greater motivation than any team in this year’s field as the Elite Eight will be right in the Griffons’ backyard at Civic Arena in St. Joseph. Whitaker and company are fully aware of that scenario for themselves.
“Us knowing that the Elite Eight is here in St. Joe is special, and is extra motivation to try to come home, and play before our fans and we’ll take that one game at a time,” Whitaker said.
