The Flying Queens closed the regular season with six games in February. The team finished the month with a 2-6 record and finished the season 12-16 overall and 11-11 in Sooner Athletic Conference play. After losing the last regular season game in a heartbreaker to Mid-American Christian University (MACU), 75-77, the team turned around to face MACU in the first round of the SAC Tournament and lost 49-59.
Coach Jordan Vessels reflects on the team’s first season under her leadership:
“This season was truly a season of growth for our program. Our team grew in many ways — both on and off the court. With so many new beginnings, we had to come together quickly, and I’m incredibly proud of the fight, resilience, and grit our players demonstrated all year. There were moments when it would have been easy to fold, but they continued to choose toughness and togetherness. The core we have returning is special, and we’re excited about what’s ahead. As a staff, our focus now shifts to continuing to develop our returners and intentionally adding the right pieces around them as we strive to compete at the highest standard of Flying Queen Basketball.”
The core that Jordan is referring to include three freshmen- Bella Dabbs, Cania Mitchell, Brooklyn Birkenfeld – and two juniors – Peyton North and Jadyn Trusler – who started almost all of the 28 games for the Queens this season. Mitchell and Birkenfeld led the team in scoring, averaging 15.7 ppg and 10.6 ppg, respectively and went on to earn All-SAC honors.
February Recap
Feb. 5 vs College of the Ozarks (Mo.), L 78-82
Feb. 7 vs John Brown University, W 81-75 (OT)
Feb. 9 vs Langston, L 53-60
Feb. 12 at Oklahoma City University, L 65-68 (OT)
Feb. 14 at Southwestern Christian University, L 51-60
Feb. 19 vs University of Science and Arts, W 69-60
Feb. 21 vs Mid-American Christian University, L 75-77
Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament
Feb. 26 vs Mid-American Christian University, L 49-59
photo credit: Claudia Lusk