Missouri State University women’s basketball will recognize its 1992 and 2001 NCAA Final Four teams Friday, Dec. 7, when the Lady Bears take on Saint Louis at 7:05 p.m. at Hammons Student Center. Currently, 17 former Lady Bears have committed to attending, as the two NCAA teams will be honored at halftime and during a post-game reception for Fast Break Club members at the Turner Family Practice Court in Hammons.
Those wishing to join the Fast Break Club may contact the women’s basketball office at (417) 836-4136. A limited number of free posters (pictured at right) commemorating the two teams’ historic seasons will be available to fans as they enter the arena.
The 1991-92 Lady Bears of Gateway Conference Coach of the Year Cheryl Burnett reeled off 21 consecutive wins en route to a school-record 31 victories and a No. 4 ranking in the final USA Today Coaches Poll. Missouri State finished among the nation’s leaders in field-goal percentage (second), scoring margin (second), three-point field-goal percentage (fifth) and scoring defense (eighth). Missouri State’s march to the 1992 Final Four in Los Angeles included a 17-1 finish in Gateway Conference play and four victories over ranked opponents.
Once again guided by Cheryl Burnett, the 2000-01 team’s 29 victories rank second only to the 1991-92 squad all-time at Missouri State. The Lady Bears went 16-2 in Missouri Valley Conference play to capture the regular season title, then wrapped up their fourth straight NCAA Tournament bid by winning the MVC Tournament in Springfield. Led by all-time NCAA scoring leader Jackie Stiles, the 2000-01 Lady Bears rode a late-season surge to the program’s second Final Four appearance. Stiles averaged 30.3 points per contest to earn All-America recognition and an assortment of national player of the year honors, capping a brilliant Missouri State career that saw her score 3,393 points and surpass Patricia Hoskins as the leading scorer in Division I history.
Members of the 1991-92 squad that have committed to attend Friday include head coach Cheryl Burnett, assistant coaches Jim Middleton and Marla Douglass, Karen Rapier, Charity Shira Elliott, Melody Howard Elliott, Tina Robbins, Julie Howard Templeton, Angenette Sumrall, Heidi Muller, Chrissy Ediger-Cordova, broadcaster Don West, athletic trainer Robin Meeks and student manager Jim Odom. In addition to Burnett, Rapier and Meeks who were part of both squads, members of the 2000-01 team that will be on hand include Jackie Stiles, Melody Campbell Stewart, Tara Mitchem Groves, Carly Deer Stubblefield, Carolyn Weirick, Erica Vicente, Ann Cavey Jameson, Morgan Hohenberger, Stephanie Busbey Madison, broadcaster Tom Ladd and student managers Doug Dunn, Brad Coy and Tom Norrell.
