Season Review: Women's Basketball sweeps OAC titles, reaches NCAA Elite 8 and posts 30-1 record in 2016-17
By Shannon Jack
ADA – The 2016-17 Ohio Northern women's basketball team etched its name into the record books. After a remarkable 30-1 season, it will be remembered as the greatest team in Ohio Northern women's basketball history.
Under 16-year head coach Michele Durand, the Polar Bears completed a perfect 25-0 regular season for the first time in school history.
They won the Ohio Athletic Conference Regular Season Title for the third consecutive year, finishing with a record of 18-0.
The Polar Bears then advanced to win the OAC Tournament title with a 70-55 victory over Wilmington and an automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Tournament.
Ranked No. 5 nationally, Ohio Northern was selected to host the first two rounds of the NCAA III Tournament where the Polar Bears defeated Lakeland (Wis.) 68-36 and No. 15 Trine (Ind.) 55-48.
Rolling into the Sweet 16, the Polar Bears were selected again to host the Sectional semifinals and finals of the NCAA III Tournament.
A record-breaking crowd of more than 1,300 spectators packed ONU Sports Center to witness the Polar Bears defeat No. 20 SUNY-Geneseo 72-55 and become the first Ohio Northern women's basketball team to achieve an Elite 8 appearance.
The stage was set and Northern delivered a gutsy performance, but the Polar Bears saw their historical run come to an end with a 76-66 loss to No. 7 Christopher Newport (Va.) in the Sectional finals.
"We fought to the end and didn't give up. We had a great season and these girls have nothing to be ashamed of," said Durand after the game.
Northern's 30-1 record and NCAA Division III Elite 8 appearance aren't the only notable accomplishments of this team's inspiring season.
ONU led the nation in free-throw percentage (80.2 percent).
The Polar Bears were also seventh in assist/turnover ratio (1.25/1) and seventh in field-goal percentage (45.4).
ONU led the league in field-goal percentage and assists
In addition, several Polar Bears were recognized for their outstanding individual achievements.
Senior Britt Lauck (Lima/Shawnee) and junior Amy Bullimore (Marrow/Little Miami) received All-American honors.
Lauck was named a First-Team WBCA All-American, making her the first Ohio Northern women's basketball player to receive First Team honors. Bullimore was named to the Honorable Mention All-American team.
Lauck also became the 14th member of ONU's 1,000-point club and broke the school-record with 112 assists this season. She was named OAC Player of the Year.
Lauck finished her career ranked third all-time with 261 assists and fifth all-time with 123 made 3-pointers and an .804 free throw shooting percentage.
Bullimore finished second in the OAC with 8.2 rebounds per game and third in field-goal percentage (52.9 percent).
She enters her senior season ranked 15th all time at ONU with 992 career points. She is also third all-time with 122 blocked shots, is ninth with 393 made field goals and is ninth with 617 rebounds.
Bullimore earned First Team-All OAC honors and sophomore Jenna Dirksen (Beavercreek/Carroll) was named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
Junior Courtney Cramer (Arcadia) was named OAC Tournament MVP after her game-high and career-high 18-point performance in the championship game victory over Wilmington.
Off the court, three Polar Bears received Academic All-Conference honors, including senior Angela Tesny (Medina) and juniors Cramer and Shannon Jack (Akron/St. Vincent-St. Mary).
Head coach Michele Durand was deservingly recognized as OAC Coach of Year.
From the record-breaking team accomplishments, to the individual accolades and the overwhelming community support, the 2016-17 ONU women's basketball team has left an impressive legacy