By MAKENNA WILLIAMS
Sports Editor
In a season of firsts–and lasts–that defied expectations the third-seeded women’s basketball team exited the NCAA Division II tournament early after a hard-fought 52-47 loss to sixth-seeded Daemen University.
It was the first time since the 2010-11 season that the team went to the NCAA tournament, and the first time coach Will Brown, recipient of the NE-10 Coach of the Year Award, coached a women’s team. It is, of course, the last season the Golden Knights will ever play.
It is the 12th time that Saint Rose has been a part of the NCAA bracket, and perhaps the most surprising. In a preseason poll, the Golden Knights were voted to finish 11 out of 12 teams. Saint Rose proved everyone wrong, finishing the season with a 21-6 record, which is the most wins the program has seen since 2010-11.
In the game against Daemen, sophomores Kaelah Carter and Payton Graber recorded double digits in their first NCAA tournament appearance.
Aniya McDonald-Perry, a sophomore forward, led the Golden Knights in rebounds with nine, and Maddisyn Mahoney, a junior forward, contributed eight points and five assists.
Graber’s 12 points in the first two quarters helped the Golden Knights take a one-point lead into halftime after Saint Rose’s poor start allowed Daemen to get ahead early.
In the third quarter, the Golden Knights’ offensive faltered once again as Saint Rose managed just three points out of twelve tries.
With four minutes remaining, the Golden Knights, behind 37-33 heading into the fourth quarter, would come back to score 12 of the next 20 points, eight of which came from Carter, to tie the game at 45-45.
After a timeout, Saint Rose had a chance with the ball, but Carter dropped a three-point shot on the next play. Later Daemen would seal the victory from the free-throw line.
Regardless of their short run in the tournament, the Saint Rose women’s basketball team proved to be a well-oiled machine up until the very end. At the end of the season, Saint Rose led the nation in defensive field goal percentage, defensive three-point field goal percentage, and defensive points allowed per game.
The Saint Rose women’s basketball team showed incredible tenacity and resolve this season. To reach their objectives, they had to overcome several obstacles—both on and off the court. With the constant support of their fans and guidance from their committed coaching staff, the squad created an unbreakable relationship.
The Saint Rose women’s basketball team ultimately lost, but they didn’t let it define them. Head coach Will Brown left UAlbany to come to Saint Rose and coach; he will leave being named NE10 Coach of the Year and will hold the record for most wins in a season in Saint Rose women’s basketball history.
Not only was this the last game in a Golden Knights uniform for the seniors, but for everyone. Throughout the entirety of the season all of Saint Rose and many others were rooting for this hard working group of girls. The gym was consistently packed full of a community wearing black and gold hoping and wishing nothing but the best for this resilient, hardworking team. This team persevered through something that not many college students have to face; the whole team has worked diligently to make the most of the final season.
