Game #32
Lindenwood (21-10, 16-4 OVC)
vs. Tulsa (17-14, 11-7 AAC)
Match Information:
Date: Thursday, Mar. 20th, 2025
Location: Charles, Mo.
Venue: Robert F. Hyland Arena
Tip-Off: 7:00 p.m. CT
All-Time Series: 0-2
Last Meeting: L, 80-89
Live Stats: Stats
ESPN+: Watch

Matchup
Lindenwood women's basketball will make their post-season debut on Thursday, March 20th in the first round of the WNIT in a game where they will host Tulsa inside Hyland Arena at 7:00 p.m. CT. The Lions earned an automatic bid into the WNIT after making an appearance in the Ohio Valley Conference Championship game two weeks ago. Lindenwood is in their third season in Division I after reclassifying from Division II during the 2022-23 season.

Tulsa is a familiar foe for Lindenwood as they have met two times since Lindenwood joined the OVC. In LU's first season in DI, Lindenwood lost to Tulsa in Oklahoma by a final score of 46-79. In head coach Amy Eagan's first game at Lindenwood during the 2023-24 season, the Lions lost their home opener to the Golden Hurricanes by a final score of 80-89. Lindenwood will look to pick up their first win against Tulsa on Thursday night while also clinching their first post-season win.

Eagan has transformed the Lindenwood Lions in just her second season as head coach posting a 21-10 record in year two. After going 7-21 during her first season in St. Charles, Eagan posted a +14 win improvement leading the Lions to an OVC Championship game appearance. She was named the OVC Coach of the Year becoming the third Lindenwood head coach to earn that honor during the 2024-25 academic year.

In an instant classic Championship game, Lindenwood fell just short in overtime to the eventually OVC champions Tennessee Tech by a final score of 82-76. All-OVC Second and Newcomer team selection Brooke Coffey scored a career-high 20 points while pulling down eight rebounds. Ellie Brueggemann also added 19 points in Evansville, Ind.

Tulsa is coached by Angie Nelp who is in her fourth season. The Golden Hurricanes enter Thursday's game with a 17-14 overall record. During the American Athletic Conference Championships, Tulsa lost in the first round to Charlotte by a final score of 71-66. They boast a 5-6 record on the road this season.

Player to Watch
Brooke Coffey is a St. Charles, Mo. native who decided to come home to Lindenwood after playing her freshman season at Illinois State. The sophomore combo guard earning All-OVC Second Team and Newcomer Team honors. She joins Brueggemann as only one of three Lions to play and start in all 31 games. This duo also becomes the first pair of Lions to earn All-Conference honors in a single season.

An active scorer, she is one of three Lions to average double-figures on the team with 10.8 points per game. Effective from the field, Coffey ranks second on the team in field-goal percentage with a 50.2% from the floor (min. 100 FG/A). Her 24 triples ranks fourth on the team while shooting 70.1% from the foul line.

During her 2024-25 season, Coffey scored in double-figures 21 times including a career-high 20 points against Tennessee Tech in the championship game. An active rebounder, Coffey also led the team in total rebounds (200) and rebounding average (6.5 rpg). Her 6.5 rpg average also ranks sixth in the OVC.

OVC Championship Recap
Lindenwood women's basketball battled in an all-time Ohio Valley Conference Championship classic, but fell in overtime to the eventually champions Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles (26-5, 18-2 OVC) by a final score of 82-76. The Lions captured their most wins (21) and conference wins (16) in the Division I era while making it to their first OVC Championships in program history.

Coffey led the Lions scoring 20 points on 8-15 shooting including draining two threes. The sophomore forward grabbed eight of Lindenwood's 45 rebounds. Gracie Kelsey was just short of a double-double after posting nine points and nine rebounds in the loss. Lindenwood out-rebounded TTU 45-34 including 19 offensive rebounds, marking their most this season.

All-OVC First Team and All-Tournament team selection Brueggemann scored 19 points on 7-17 shooting. Brueggemann also added four rebounds, three assists , two steals and two blocks.

Western Illinois just edged the Lions in field-goal percentage shooting 44.1% for the game while Lindenwood shot 43.3%. The Golden Eagles had the upper hand at the foul line going 24-29 from the line while the Lions went 13-21.

Scouting Tulsa
Tulsa out of the American Athletic Conference comes into Thursday's opening round WNIT game with a 17-14 overall record and a 11-7 AAC record in conference play. Lindenwood and Tulsa have two common opponents this season in Oral Roberts and Kansas City. Both teams defeated Kansas City while losing two Oral Roberts during the non-conference portions of their respective schedules.

Delanie Crawford has started and played in all 31 games this season while averaging a team-high 16.9 points per game. During the 2023-24 game at Lindenwood, Crawford scored a team-high 35 points in a 89-80 win over the Lions. Mady Cartwright also averaged 10.5 ppg and 3.7 rpg.

Head Coach: Amy Eagan
Eagan was named head coach of the Lindenwood women's basketball program on March 28, 2023.

In year one under Eagan, the Lions posted a 7-21 record. Lindenwood found itself in many close games, dropping eight contests by seven points or less. The black and gold led the OVC in turnover margin at +3.68. Ellie Brueggemann had an outstanding freshman campaign, averaging 13.8 points per game, which led to second team and all newcomer selections. Makayla Wallace set a new single season program record for steals with 72. She averaged 2.6 steals per game last season, tied for tops in the conference. It also ranked 24th nationally. 
 
Eagan arrives in St. Charles, Mo. after spending three seasons as the head coach of Drury University women's basketball.  Eagan completed her 14th season as a collegiate head coach, as she had stops at Truman State, Ashford, and St. Ambrose.
 
Eagan brings a career mark of 274-151 (.645) to Lindenwood, including four-straight seasons of 23 or more wins.  Eagan has led three schools to the NCAA Division II tournament for a total of five appearances, as well as one NAIA tournament appearance.  Eagan had claimed five conference titles in her 14 years, including three-straight.

Up Next
The winner between Lindenwood and Tulsa will advance to the second round of the WNIT against Tarleton State. Round two of the WNIT will take place between March 23-25 with a time and location to be announced later. For more information go to lindenwoodlions.com.