Historic season ends

The women’s basketball team’s stellar season came to a halt on March 14. They lost to Holy Family University, 61-51, in the NCAA Tournament East Region Semifinal at James Moore Field House.

The Owls tallied 25 wins this season and won the NE10 Tournament, the most wins and the first conference title since their 2006 championship-winning campaign. They lost only two conference games all year.

“I’m really proud of them. During the difficult times, they stuck together and kept pushing,” Head Coach Kate Lynch said.

The team beat familiar foe Saint Michael’s College 56-49 in the quarterfinal before losing to Holy Family.

Because the Owls were the No. 1 seed in the east, the entire tournament took place at the university. The eight best teams from the east coast all came to New Haven to play.

“It’s been a great environment. We’re very thankful to all the fans for coming out and supporting us. It’s a great place to play, and it’s fun. That’s what basketball is all about,” guard Hope Fox, a senior, said.

Fox elevated her game in the postseason. She was the MVP of the NE10 Tournament and the main attraction for the NCAAs. Against Saint Michael’s, she was relentless. She truly sacrificed her body for the team.

“It’s March. We’ve been playing since November. You get used to the falls and the bumps and bruises. It’s part of the game,” Fox said.

Fox finished her senior season averaging 10 points, three assists and five boards.

“She doesn’t know how good she is,” Lynch said.

The only player who averaged more minutes than Fox this season was guard Jillian Martin, a graduate. Martin was the leader on the court. She led the team in assists, dishing out 4.5 per game.

While Fox and Martin led the backcourt, forward Rheyna Steinauer, a senior, took charge in the paint, playing the best season of her career. R. Steinauer led the team in scoring, averaging 15 points a game while shooting over 40% from the field.

She made the NCAA East Region All-Tournament Team. She scored 25 points against Holy Family. It was made even more special because she did so alongside her sister, guard Taeya Steinauer, a sophomore.

“It’s awesome for our family to watch us,” T. Steinauer said. “We have great chemistry on the court.”

R. Steinauer’s confidence and ability to hit big shots was vital to the team’s success this season. Another clutch shooter was guard Ally Sentance, a senior.

Coming off the bench as the sixth man, she was lethal from the three point line, making 41% for eight points a game.

The Owls exceeded outside expectations this season but ultimately fell short of their own. The loss against Holy Family marked the final collegiate game for the core of the team.

“I’m upset, but just so proud of my teammates,” Martin said.

As the team looks forward to next season, the burden of success no doubt now falls on the shoulders of breakout star forward Tish Blackwood, a freshman.

Blackwood was the NE10 Rookie of the Year. She was a tenacious rebounder and the glue that held the unit together. Blackwood led the team in field goal percentage, averaging just about a double-double with 11 points and nine boards a game.

Blackwood will be a cornerstone for Lynch as she looks to reload the program for next year. The team has the coach and the culture to continue their success for the future.

“None of this is because of me. All the credit goes to the players and the work they put in,” Lynch said.