For the third time in a row and in school history, NSU’s women’s basketball team advanced to the Elite Eight in the NCAA Division II National Championship tournament.
They faced the West Region Champions, the California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans, on March 24 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, where they forced overtime for the second time in three years. The Sharks ultimately fell to California University of Pennsylvania in the Elite Eight national quarter final round, 84-79. Prior to that, the Sharks won the South Region Championship on March 16, beating Union University, 67-62.
“It is a great blessing and honor playing in the Elite Eight again. Not many people can say that they have won three regional championships back-to-back,” said Jasmine Wilkins, a senior on the team.
The Sharks were on track this season as they only had seven losses out of 33 games. This season-ending loss only adds to the pride of the women’s basketball team. This also marked the end of two distinguished Shark careers of Danielle Robinson and Jasmine Wilkins. The two seniors combined had 37 points and 15 rebounds in the ending match.
“It was another game for the team; that’s how we think going into all games,” said Wilkins, who had 17 points and eight rebounds in the season ending game.
The Sharks outshot the Vulcans 43.1 to 41.7 percent and outrebounded them 52 to 42. But, the Vulcans had the advantage at the free throw line, making it a five-point win for them.
“It was very unfortunate that we lost, but I would not trade my teammates or coaches for anything,” added Wilkins. “This team has taught me a lot and allowed me to build some great friendships.”
Robinson said that now she can sit back and reflect.
“It is truly a privilege to be able to say that I was a part of a team and that went to the Elite Eight three years in a row, when many have not,” added Robinson, who had 20 points, making both of her 3-point attempts, along with seven boards and four assists.
With the hardest working coaches in the nation, as long as Shark basketball stays alive with the support of the NSU community, the possibilities are endless.
