Sports

First Quarter Eruption Keeps Women Basketball Dancing

Truman Griessel, Reporter

March 21, 2025

Mykayla Cunningham greets Alyssa Nielsen and Gracy Wernli after clinching a first-round WNIT win over Tulsa.

Lindenwood women’s basketball (22-10, 16-4 OVC) erupted for 27 first quarter and cruised to a 76-60 win over the Tulsa Golden Hurricanes (17-15, 11-7 AAC) to advance to the second round of the WNIT. The win was the program’s first NCAA D-1 postseason win and the first win in program history over Tulsa.

Five different Lions scored in double figures led by Brooke Coffey who finished with 13 points and five rebounds. Gracy Wernli, Ellie Brueggemann and Gracie Kelsey all had 12 points in the win. Wernli was a perfect 2/2 from downtown while Brueggemann was 3/4 from long range and grabbed five rebounds and three assists. Kelsey was a perfect 6/6 from the foul line and racked up five boards.

Mykayla Cunningham was the final double-digit scorer with 10 points, four rebounds, and a team-high eight assists and three steals.

Tulsa jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead before Lindenwood’s offense caught fire and erupted for a 16-0 run with both Wernli and Brueggemann knocking down a pair of threes during the run. A pair of Mya Skoff free throws grew the lead to 15 at 23-8 as the Lions poured it on leading 27-12 after the opening 10 minutes. The 27 points were the most in an opening quarter for Lindenwood this year.

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The Lions offense kept humming to begin the second as after a jumper and a three from Coffey the Lions led 38-17 at the media timeout. Skoff made her only three of the game with 2:21 left to grow the lead to 24 at 43-19 as Lindenwood rolled into the locker room with a commanding 45-24 lead.

Tulsa came out with a little 6-0 run to start the second half forcing a Lions timeout who responded with an 8-2 run of their own to grow the lead back to 21 at 53-32. The Golden Hurricanes outscored the Lions 16-15 in the third quarter but still trailed 60-40 entering the final quarter of play.

Lindenwood kept their foot on the gas to start the final quarter as the lead ballooned to 26 as the Lions were able to cruise comfortably in the fourth quarter as Coach Eagan emptied the bench and ran out the clock to finish off a dominant 76-60 win.

Lindenwood continues their WNIT journey in the second round on March 23 as they play at Tarleton State University at 2 p.m. streaming on ESPN+.

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About the Contributors

Truman Griessel, Reporter

Truman Griessel is from Ozark, MO, starting his freshman year at Lindenwood University. Truman is majoring in Communications with an emphasis on Broadcasting and Media Production. Outside of writing for Lindenlink, Truman also plays the alto-saxophone for the Lindenwood Marching Band.

Josh Calloni, Editor-in-Chief

Josh is the Editor-in-Chief of Lindenlink. Currently a senior majoring in Communications with an emphasis in Journalism and in his third year on the staff of Lindenlink. In his free time, he works as a photojournalist for Fronstretch.com, traveling to racetracks around the country. He also enjoys baseball, hanging out with friends, and playing video games. After graduation, he hopes to continue his career as a photojournalist, working at various race tracks and baseball stadiums around the United States.